Direct Import Wine Shop - Cabinet de Vin SAPPORO

A1: It is called wine lees, and is the sedimentation of proteins and polyphenols, the wine's flavor components, at the bottom of the bottle. It is an inevitable part of the process of mellowing wine as it ages, and in any case, it is an essential part of wine's flavor components.

A2: "Tartaric acid," or "tartar," is a combination of the acid and mineral components of wine that have turned into crystals. This occurs when the wine has been perfectly preserved, and can settle at the bottom of the wine or adhere to the back of the cork. Please be assured that this is a natural component of wine and does not affect the human body. This sparkling substance is called "tartaric acid" and is sometimes called "wine diamond" in Europe. It is rough in the mouth, so please avoid getting it in your glass.

A3: Proper wine storage requires a high humidity of around 70%, which can often lead to mold growth. However, as long as the cork is securely sealed, mold is unlikely to penetrate inside. Simply wiping it off should not pose a problem.

A4: For example, storing wine in summer or in an extremely hot place can cause the air inside the bottle to expand, pushing the cork up and causing it to leak. Wine is a very delicate drink, so please take extra care in managing it at home.

A5: There are three conditions for optimal wine storage. They are "temperature", "light", and "humidity". The optimal "temperature" is between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius, and wine will deteriorate if the temperature is too hot or too cold. Wine is also sensitive to "light", so it should be stored in a dark place away from light as much as possible and should not be exposed to ultraviolet rays. And finally, "humidity". If stored in a dry place, the cork will dry out and shrink, allowing air to enter through it and oxidize the wine. The ideal humidity is 65-80%.

It is difficult to find a storage place in the house that meets all of these conditions, but during the hot summer months when the indoor temperature exceeds 30°C, it is best to wrap the wine bottle around several layers of newspaper to shield it from light and retain moisture, and lay it in the back of the refrigerator for storage. If the refrigerator is too full to put them in, store them in a dark place under the floor or in a room on the north side of the house where the room temperature is as low as possible.