Storing Unopened Wine

• All unopened wine should be stored in the same conditions; specific temperatures only come into play when you're preparing to enjoy a glass. Pick a spot out of the way of household commotion and where the temperature is consistent, suggest "Wine Spectator" staff; fluctuating temperatures and vibrations from opening and shutting nearby cabinets and doors can damage wine over the long term. Unopened bottles should be stored in a dark place where the temperature is within 10 degrees of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A wine cooler with a tinted door is the ideal storage spot, but a shelf in a rarely used closet also works.

Temperatures for White Wine

• White wines are often served cold straight from the refrigerator. Within the family of available whites, different varieties may benefit from slightly different temperatures. According to "Food & Wine" writer Ray Isle, the ideal temperature for sparkling white wine like Champagne is 45 F, while crisp whites (think those with tart notes of grapefruit) should be served at 50 F and rich whites (think buttery or oaky varieties) are best served at 55 F. Those temperatures are probably warmer than your home refrigerator, though some wine lovers prefer their whites icy cold. The bottom line: Refrigerate a bottle of white wine for at least a few hours or overnight before you plan to drink it. If you feel the chill is affecting your ability to taste all the wine's notes, let a full glass sit out for 15 minutes at room temperature before taking a sip.

Temperatures for Red Wine

• Cold can dull the rich flavors of bold red wine, so many wine lovers choose to enjoy these varietals at room temperature or close to it. "Food & Wine" gives 65 F as the ideal temperature for rich red wine. You might prefer your red with a bit of a chill to it, especially if you gravitate toward light, crisp reds rather than heavier varieties like cabernet sauvignon, so feel free to refrigerate an unopened bottle for 15 or 30 minutes before serving it. To extend the life of an open bottle of red wine, replace its cork with a screw top and store it in the refrigerator, but still plan to enjoy the leftovers within 2 days. Let the wine warm up at room temperature before drinking it again.

Adjusting Temperature in a Hurry

• Unless you like your wine watered down, dropping ice cubes into a glass of a pricey vintage is not the way to cool down a bottle of wine in a hurry. When guests are on their way and your favorite white is sitting at room temperature, submerge the bottle in a bucket of ice, water and salt. The addition of salt slows the melting of the ice, keeping the water frigid and chilling your wine quickly. Warm up wine that's too cold by decanting it into a warm container or by pouring it into glasses a few minutes before it will be enjoyed.