You've just picked up a beautiful bottle of Moscato, but you're not planning to open it tonight. How do you store it to ensure it tastes just as delightful when you're ready to enjoy it? Proper wine storage isn't complicated, but understanding a few key principles will help you preserve your Moscato's fresh, fruity character and aromatic intensity.
Unlike some red wines that improve with decades of cellaring, Moscato is designed to be enjoyed young and fresh. This means storage practices need to focus on preservation rather than aging. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about storing Moscato properly, from ideal conditions to how long you can keep an opened bottle.
Why Storage Matters for Moscato
Moscato's appeal lies in its vibrant aromatics and refreshing fruit character. These delicate qualities are particularly susceptible to degradation from improper storage. Exposure to heat, light, or oxygen can rapidly diminish the floral notes and fresh fruit flavours that make Moscato so enjoyable.
The high sugar content in Moscato also makes it more sensitive to certain storage conditions. While the sugar itself is stable, the balance between sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness can shift when the wine is exposed to unfavourable conditions, resulting in a wine that tastes flat or overly syrupy.
Never store wine on top of your refrigerator. The heat generated by the motor and the vibration can quickly degrade your Moscato's quality.
The Five Keys to Proper Moscato Storage
1. Temperature Control
Temperature is the single most important factor in wine storage. For Moscato, aim to maintain a consistent temperature between 7-13°C (45-55°F). While this is cooler than typical room temperature, it doesn't need to be as cold as your refrigerator.
Why does temperature matter so much? Higher temperatures accelerate chemical reactions within the wine, causing it to age prematurely. For Moscato, which is meant to be enjoyed fresh, this accelerated aging strips away the vibrant fruit and floral notes that define its character. On the other hand, temperatures that are too cold won't damage the wine but may cause tartrate crystals to form—harmless but potentially off-putting.
Temperature fluctuations are equally problematic. Repeated expansion and contraction from temperature swings can work the cork loose and allow oxygen to enter the bottle. Aim for consistency above all else.
2. Light Protection
Light, particularly ultraviolet light, is another enemy of wine. UV rays can break down organic compounds in wine, leading to what wine professionals call "light strike." This results in unpleasant sulphur-like aromas and a degraded flavour profile.
Moscato's light colour and delicate aromatics make it particularly vulnerable to light damage. Most Moscato bottles use clear or light-coloured glass to showcase the wine's attractive appearance, which unfortunately offers less protection than dark glass.
- Store bottles away from windows and direct sunlight
- Keep wine in a closed cupboard, box, or cellar
- If displaying bottles, ensure they're not in the path of direct light
- Even artificial lighting can cause damage over extended periods
3. Humidity Considerations
Humidity matters primarily for wines sealed with natural corks. If the air is too dry, the cork can dry out and shrink, potentially allowing oxygen to seep into the bottle. Ideal humidity for wine storage is between 50-80%.
However, many modern Moscato bottles use screw caps or synthetic closures, which are largely unaffected by humidity levels. Check your bottle's closure type—if it has a screw cap, humidity is less of a concern.
For cork-sealed Moscato, storing bottles on their side keeps the cork moist from the inside, which is often more effective than maintaining high humidity for short-term storage.
4. Bottle Position
The traditional advice to store wine bottles horizontally applies mainly to cork-sealed wines. When a bottle lies on its side, the wine stays in contact with the cork, keeping it moist and maintaining a proper seal.
For Moscato with screw caps or synthetic closures, bottle position doesn't significantly affect preservation. You can store these bottles upright without concern. That said, horizontal storage is space-efficient and works well regardless of closure type.
5. Avoiding Vibration
While less critical than temperature and light, prolonged vibration can disturb the wine and potentially accelerate chemical reactions. This is more relevant for long-term storage than the typical timeframes for Moscato consumption.
Avoid storing wine near appliances that vibrate, such as washing machines, dryers, or air conditioning units. A quiet, stable location is ideal.
Storage Options for Different Situations
Short-Term Storage (Days to Weeks)
If you're planning to enjoy your Moscato within the next few weeks, storage is straightforward. A cool, dark cupboard in your home will suffice. Avoid areas near heat sources like ovens, dishwashers, or heating vents.
Your refrigerator is also acceptable for short-term storage, though not ideal for extended periods. The refrigerator environment is colder than optimal and can be quite dry, but for a few weeks, your Moscato will be fine. As a bonus, it'll already be chilled when you're ready to serve.
Medium-Term Storage (Months)
For storage lasting several months, you'll want to be more careful about conditions. A wine fridge is an excellent investment if you regularly keep wine on hand. These units maintain ideal temperature and humidity while protecting bottles from light.
Without a wine fridge, find the coolest, most stable location in your home. Basements are often good options due to their naturally cool and consistent temperatures. Interior closets away from exterior walls can also work well.
Key Takeaway
Moscato is meant to be enjoyed within 1-2 years of vintage. Unlike some wines, it doesn't improve with extended aging, so don't save it too long!
Long-Term Storage Considerations
Most Moscato isn't designed for long-term cellaring. The fresh, fruity character that defines the wine will gradually fade over time, regardless of storage conditions. For standard sparkling and still Moscato, aim to consume within 1-2 years of the vintage date.
The exception is fortified Muscat, such as Rutherglen Muscat from Victoria. These wines can age magnificently for decades, developing increasing complexity over time. If you're cellaring fortified Muscat, proper conditions become more important due to the extended timeframe.
Storing Opened Moscato
What about that half-finished bottle from last night's dinner party? Opened Moscato requires different handling than sealed bottles.
Once opened, wine begins oxidising immediately. For Moscato, this means the fresh fruit flavours and aromatic intensity will diminish quickly. To maximise the life of an opened bottle:
- Re-seal immediately: Replace the screw cap or use a proper wine stopper. Don't leave the bottle open.
- Refrigerate: Cold temperatures slow oxidation significantly. Always store opened Moscato in the refrigerator.
- Minimise air exposure: Consider using a vacuum pump to remove air from the bottle, or transfer to a smaller container.
- Drink soon: Aim to finish opened Moscato within 3-5 days. For sparkling Moscato, which loses its bubbles quickly, 1-2 days is more realistic.
Special sparkling wine stoppers with a clamp mechanism can help preserve carbonation in opened bottles of sparkling Moscato better than standard stoppers.
Signs Your Moscato Has Gone Bad
Sometimes despite our best efforts, wine doesn't survive storage intact. Here's how to identify Moscato that's past its prime:
- Colour changes: Fresh Moscato should be pale gold to light straw. If it's turned amber or brown, oxidation has occurred.
- Off aromas: Instead of fresh fruit and flowers, you detect vinegar, wet cardboard, or musty smells.
- Flat bubbles: Sparkling Moscato that's lost its effervescence is past its best, though still safe to drink.
- Muted flavours: The wine tastes dull, lacking the vibrant fruit character it should have.
- Cork issues: A cork that's pushed out, leaking, or shows signs of mould may indicate storage problems.
Wine that's simply past its prime is safe to drink—it just won't taste good. However, wine that's turned to vinegar or shows signs of bacterial contamination should be discarded.
Creating Your Ideal Storage Setup
You don't need an elaborate wine cellar to store Moscato properly. Here are practical solutions for different budgets and living situations:
- Budget option: A cool, dark cupboard away from the kitchen's heat sources. Free and effective for short-term storage.
- Mid-range solution: A small wine fridge (6-12 bottles) costs $150-300 and provides ideal conditions. Perfect for apartment dwellers.
- Premium setup: A larger wine fridge or dedicated cellar space if you're building a collection. Temperature and humidity-controlled environments preserve wine perfectly.
Remember, the best storage solution is one you'll actually use. A modest setup that keeps your wine in decent conditions is far better than an elaborate cellar that sits empty because it's inconvenient.
Final Thoughts
Storing Moscato isn't complicated, but a little attention to the basics makes a significant difference in your drinking experience. Keep it cool, keep it dark, drink it fresh, and you'll enjoy every bottle at its best.
Most importantly, don't overthink it. Moscato is meant to be enjoyed, not fussed over. If you're storing it for more than a few months, you might be missing the point—this wine is at its best when fresh and young. Pop it open, pour it cold, and savour those beautiful fruit and floral notes while they're at their peak.
Want to learn more about getting the most from your Moscato? Check out our guide on serving Moscato at the perfect temperature.