Nothing says celebration more than the popping sound of a Champagne bottle. This is why it’s always nice to have a bottle ready in your storage, as you can never tell when you’ll need one.
However, to truly savour every sip of this luxurious drink, you must first know how to store its bottle properly. Whether you’ll be purchasing Champagne for celebratory popping, spraying, everyday drinking, or long-term ageing, understanding the correct storage practices will help you enjoy the bottle at its maximum potential.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to store bottles of Champagne, how long you can store them, and some tips on the best ways to serve them. You’ll also discover the proper handling of specific premium champagnes like Laurent Perrier La Cuvee Champagne and Billecart Salmon Rosé.
How to Store Champagne?
Here are some of the best practices for maintaining the freshness, quality, and effervescence of your Champagne.
Maintaining Optimal Temperature Control
Like other wines, Champagne also thrives in an environment with consistent cool temperatures–ideally around 45°F to 50°F.
The temperature is an important factor in ensuring that your Champagne maintains its carbonation, flavours, and vibrancy. If the temp fluctuates outside the desired range, it can cause early spoilage or, at the very least, changes in structure or taste.
If you can, investing in a wine refrigerator or having a wine cellar is the best course of action to give your Champagne and other wines a controlled environment.
Maintaining the Right Humidity Levels
Humidity also matters and, in fact, is a crucial factor in preserving a bottle of Champagne. The moisture level in your storage must be between 70% to 85%. These numbers are found in most wine fridges, but they can be easily replicated if you have a cool underground basement.
Having the right humidity levels keeps the bottle’s cork from drying out. Instead, it helps the cork remain moist and swollen, preventing air or oxygen from entering the bottle, which, if not blocked, could oxidise the wine.
Minimising Light Exposure
Wine Enthusiast listed the five enemies of wine, and one element mentioned in the list is light exposure, both UV and sun. The site added that sparkling wines like Champagne are more sensitive to this exposure as it could ruin the chemistry and aromas that make these wines sparkling.
Thus, if you are to store a bottle of Champagne, you must place it in a dark place with a solid door to ensure that the drink is well protected from light. If you don’t have this kind of option, just keep the bottle away from direct sunlight or any artificial light source.
Optimal Champagne Storage Positioning
It might be trivial for some, but another reason Champagne bottles are sealed with a cork is so that they can be stored on their side or laid horizontally. This positioning ensures the Champagne stays in contact with the cork, keeping it moist and airtight.
However, if the Champagne is for short-term storage only, you can keep the bottle upright.
How Long Can You Store Champagne?
Sometimes, only knowing proper storage is not enough; you must also understand how long you can really store a bottle of Champagne.
Several factors affect the ageing potential of Champagne, but one most common is whether the bottle is non-vintage or vintage.
Non-vintage Champagnes are largely produced and are meant to be consumed after purchase. However, it does not mean you can’t store them, as they can last within 3 to 5 years of their release.
Meanwhile, if stored properly, vintage Champagnes can last up to 15 years. Vintage bottles of Champagne are an example of “ageing like fine wine,” as they develop complex structures, flavours, and aromas over time. This is because vintage Champagnes are made of grapes harvested in a good year and generally from top vineyards.
Storing Premium Champagnes:
While basic storage principles apply to all Champagnes, there are some specifics when it comes to the premium ones. Check out the list of best Champagnes below and learn how to store them efficiently.
How do you store Laurent Perrier La Cuvee Champagne?
A bottle of champagne as fresh and delicate as this one must always be stored in a place with 45°F to 50°F temp and must be away from light and vibrations.
Positioning it flat is not necessary if you plan to consume it immediately, but if you plan to store it longer better to place it in your rack properly. Laurent Perrier La Cuvee Champagne has a three to five years lifespan.
How Do You Store Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle?
This next Champagne is famous for its density, depth, and complexity, as it has great ageing potential. It can last up to 15 years or more. To reach this age, you must keep it in a horizontal position and place it in a space with a 70% humidity level so it can keep the cork moist.
How Do You Store Billecart Salmon Rosé?
Billecart Salmon Rosé has delicate cinnamon and dried nutmeg flavours. To preserve its delicacy, a bottle of this Champagne must be stored in a cold place with a consistent temperature of 45°F to 50°F. You must avoid placing it in an environment with fluctuating temperature, light, and humidity.
If stored properly, you can enjoy this bottle’s maximum potential within five to seven years.
How Do You Store Ruinart Blanc de Blancs?
This bottle of Champagne is famous among wine enthusiasts for its sorbet-like palate, which comes from the mix of ripe, fruity flavours and aroma. Placing it in a cool place and horizontally positioning it will help maintain its bright citrus notes and crispiness.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs may still evolve, but it is best enjoyed while still young and fresh.
How Do You Store Veuve Clicquot Champagne?
There are two editions of Veuve Clicquot Champagne: the vintage one and the Yellow label. The exact storage principles apply to both editions—placing them in cold, dark, and stable places–but their ageing potentials differ.
The Yellow label only has a three to five-year lifespan, while the vintage editions can be aged up to 15 years.
Tips for Serving Champagne
As you already know how to store Champagne, it’s also good to learn how to properly serve it when you decide to take it off your storage. Remember, drinking Champagne or any wine is not just plain drinking. It’s a full experience.
Chilling Champagne
Champagnes are best served in a bucket filled with ice and water, but make sure to soak the bottle in the bucket 20 minutes before serving. If you don’t have them at your place, you can just refrigerate them a few hours before consumption.
Opening Champagne
One thing you must remember when opening Champagne is to gently twist the bottle, not the cork. Doing this technique allows you to release the cork slowly and quietly.
However, if you want it to pop and spray, you can shake it, then loosen the cage, tilt the bottle, and release the cork.
Choosing the Right Glassware
To complete your best Champagne tasting experience, serve it in a tulip-shaped glass, not traditional flutes. This will help concentrate the aromas while still allowing the bubbles to rise elegantly.
Where to Find the Best Champagne in Singapore?
Knowing how to store your Champagne bottles properly is the key to enjoying them at their best. By maintaining the right temperature, humidity, and light conditions, you ensure that each sip is as delightful as intended.
Now that you know the preservation techniques, you might want to start finding the finest bottles to store and savour. Good thing Crystal Wines has a wide selection of premium Champagnes.
We are a leading wine wholesaler in Singapore, trusted by over 70 wine agencies worldwide. You also don’t need to shop in-store as we offer wine delivery within Singapore.