Anyone who insists that Champagne is best stored in the fridge are wrong, one expert says.
Far from preserving its fizz, storing your bubbly this way could actually be ruining its taste, according to Marie-Christine Osselin, the wine quality manager at Moët & Chandon. And the same goes for sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava.
While Osselin says that keeping your Champagne in the fridge is fine if you’re planning on popping its cork within a few days, any longer than that could affect its flavour.
“If you’re planning to enjoy your bottle of Champagne (or sparkling wine) within 3 to 4 days of the purchase, it is fine to store the bottle in the refrigerator,’ Marie-Christine told Huffington Post.
“But only keep it in the fridge for a few days, or else the bubbly will begin to change.”
This, she says, is all because fridges are dry places which can begin to modify the state of the cork. “If it sits in the fridge for weeks, the cork can dry out due to no humidity,” she explains.
“As corks dry out, the seal between the bottle and the cork loosen up and the Champagne will oxidise faster, changing its aromas.”
Instead, Osselin suggests keeping your champers in a cool, dry place away from direct light and with a consistent temperature.
When it comes to serving, rather than putting it in the fridge to cool before you drink it, she also says that using an ice bucket is best.
The Independent