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Maybe you have a stockpile of gifted bottles left over from the holidays, or perhaps you went on a little shopping spree recently. However you got them, it’s a nice feeling to have a selection of wine at home, ready for impromptu gatherings (or when you’re just looking for something to pair with your favorite reality show), even if it’s not exactly a full-blown wine cellar. Just be sure to do it properly if you’re storing wine at home — otherwise, you risk making a classic wine mistake that could ruin a fantastic bottle.

One absolute must when it comes to wine storage is to ensure you’re resting each bottle on its side, not standing it up like a display. Sure, it can be convenient to store bottles upright so you can easily see the labels — like most wine stores do — but if that bottle stays standing up for months or even years, it could age more quickly than it ought to and degrade in quality. The culprit? The cork.

Many wine professionals say that wine is best stored on its side so that the inside end of the cork is always in contact with the wine. This is meant to prevent the cork from drying out, which can allow oxygen to sneak into the bottle and prematurely age the wine, in extreme cases causing it to turn.

A dried-out cork can be troublesome for two reasons. Firstly, a dry cork might crumble when you attempt to open the bottle, which can be a nuisance as you may need to sift out tiny pieces of cork. The more serious issue with dry corks, however, is oxidation. This occurs when the wine comes into contact with the atmospheric oxygen, which can cause the wine to lose its vibrant flavors and aromas, possibly leading to a metallic or overly acidic taste.

The only situation where this is not the case is when storing a bottle of wine that has already been opened. In such instances, storing the bottle on its side increases the surface area of the wine, thus exposing more of it to the oxygen within the empty space of the bottle. If you don’t plan on finishing the bottle soon, it’s best to reseal it and store it upright in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you might want to transfer the rest of the wine to a smaller, air-tight container like a mason jar to reduce oxidation.

Despite the common advice from nearly every wine magazine, sommelier, or enthusiast to store bottles on their side, this idea is not without opposition. Certain research suggests that the internal end of corks are not at risk of drying out, and it’s really other storage conditions (temperature, humidity, light) that require more attention.

Whether you decide to follow traditional advice or choose to store your bottles upright, there’s a universal agreement that the bottles should be stored in a consistently cool but not cold environment, along with moist air and limited sunlight. The ideal conditions range from 45 and 65 F and 50% to 80% humidity. Deviating from these conditions slightly will not ruin the wine, especially if you don’t plan on storing it for several years. Basements usually meet these conditions, but if you don’t have one, a pantry or any other dark location will suffice. Remember, temperature is key when storing wine, so areas insulated from major temperature changes are preferable. If the storage area’s air is a bit dry, placing a water-filled sheet pan nearby can contribute to the humidity.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.