In hospitality, every pour matters. Whether you’re serving a bold Shiraz, a chilled Pinot Grigio, or sparkling Prosecco, wine must be stored correctly to maintain flavour, aroma, body, and freshness. Yet one of the most common questions among new hospitality staff—and even some guests—is:

“Do you put wine in the fridge?”

The answer is yes, but only under the right conditions.

Different wines require different temperatures, different handling, and different storage methods. Treating all wines the same can lead to dull flavours, premature oxidation, flat bubbles, and disappointed guests—even if the wine itself is high quality.

This guide explains exactly how to store wine correctly in a hospitality setting, why regular kitchen fridges aren’t ideal, and how professional wine refrigeration—such as the Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge—helps venues elevate service, reduce waste, and protect stock.

TL;DR — Smart Wine Storage for Hospitality

• Use your standard fridge only for short-term storage (1–3 days for open bottles).

• Use wine fridges, coolers, or cellars for long-term storage, including unopened bottles.

• Store wine by type—red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines all have different needs.

• Prioritise consistency—fluctuating temperatures destroy wine more than anything else.

• Hospitality Connect recommends the Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge for professional service consistency.

Why Standard Kitchen Fridges Are Not Suitable for Wine

A typical kitchen fridge is designed for food preservation, not wine maturity.
It is:

• Too cold (often 0–4°C)

• Too dry (dry air shrinks corks)

• Too unstable (vibration disrupts flavour compounds)

• Frequently opened, causing temperature swings

These conditions can cause:

• Oxidation

• Loss of aroma

• Flattened flavour

• Weak bubbles in sparkling wines

• Cork damage

• Premature ageing

• Loss of value in premium bottles

This is why venues invest in professional wine fridges designed for temperature stability, humidity balance, and vibration-free storage.

⭐ Professional Storage Solution: Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge

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➡ Shop Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridges
https://hospitalityconnect.com.au/collections/fagor-vinetemp

The Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge is built specifically for hospitality venues, offering:

• Precise temperature control (ideal for red + white zones)

• Humidity maintenance to protect cork integrity

• Anti-vibration technology for flavour preservation

• UV-protected glass doors to prevent light damage

• Stylish display shelving for service appeal

• Energy-efficient performance

Perfect for restaurants, bars, cafés, wine bars, and hotels, the Vinetemp ensures every bottle is served at its correct temperature, every time.

Should Wine Be Refrigerated?

Yes—but it depends on the wine and how long you plan to store it.

Wine refrigeration is about:

• Protecting flavour

• Preserving structure

• Preventing oxidation

• Maintaining service consistency

Sparkling wines, whites, and rosés almost always require chilling.
Reds require controlled “cellar temperatures,” not typical fridge temperatures.
Fortified wines are stable but still benefit from proper storage once opened.

For accurate guidance, here’s how each wine type should be stored and served.

1. How to Store Wine in a Fridge (Smart Short-Term Storage)

Short-term refrigeration helps preserve open bottles.
Use a standard fridge only for a few days, and follow these rules:

✔ Store bottles on their side

Keeps corks moist and prevents oxidation.

✔ Reseal with a stopper

A proper wine stopper or vacuum system helps slow oxygen entry.

✔ Limit storage to 1–3 days for most wines

Wines rapidly oxidise after opening.

✔ Keep away from sunlight and heat

Light damages wine as much as temperature changes.

✔ For unopened bottles

Use only a wine fridge or cellar, never a standard fridge.

2. Treat Every Wine Bottle Differently

Each type of wine responds uniquely to temperature, oxygen, and humidity.

Red Wine

• Light reds (Pinot Noir): Best slightly chilled (12–15°C).

• Medium–full reds (Shiraz, Merlot, Cab Sav): Store at cellar temperatures (15–18°C).

Storage Tips:

• Store unopened bottles in a wine fridge or cellar, not a kitchen fridge.

• Opened bottles last 3–5 days if sealed and refrigerated.

• Allow reds to sit for 10–20 minutes before serving so they warm slightly.

Full-Bodied White Wines

Examples: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Grigio

• Oxidise easily

• Best consumed soon after opening

• Keep chilled but avoid long-term cold storage

• Expect flavour changes after the first day

Rosé Wine

• Always served well-chilled

• Store in the fridge before service

• Do not age long-term

• Lasts 3–4 days when sealed

Sparkling Wine

• Must be cold for best bubble retention

• Keep on ice during service

• Use specialised sparkling wine stoppers

Opened bottles last 1–3 days with a proper stopper.

Cabernet Sauvignon & Other Premium Reds

• Store at 15–18°C

• Never store long-term in a kitchen fridge

• Keep in a wine fridge to preserve ageing potential

Fortified Wines (Port, Sherry, Marsala)

• Very stable due to higher alcohol

• Do not require refrigeration unopened

• After opening: refrigerate or store in a cool, dark place

• Last 2–3 weeks when sealed

3. Smart Handling to Preserve Wine Quality

Oxidation is the biggest enemy of open wine.
Hospitality guidelines include:

• Always reseal bottles with quality stoppers

• Refrigerate opened wines (except some reds)

• Rotate stock to minimise waste

• Avoid temperature swings

• Keep wine upright only during service—store sideways otherwise

Correct handling ensures every glass meets your venue's standards.

4. Match Storage to Consumption: Short-Term vs Long-Term

Short-Term (Hours to Days)

Use:

• Standard fridge

• Ice buckets

• Wine buckets

• Frozen grapes (for cooling without dilution)

Long-Term (Weeks to Years)

Use:

• Wine fridges

• Wine coolers

• Wine cellars

The Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge provides the essential stability needed for commercial aging, protecting:

• Cork moisture

• Humidity control

• Temperature consistency

• Bottle integrity

5. Never Expose Wine to Temperature Fluctuations

Wine dislikes change more than anything else.
Repeatedly moving bottles in and out of the fridge accelerates oxidation and dulls flavour.

Keep bottles:

✔ In a constant-temperature fridge
✔ Away from fridge doors
✔ Protected from heat and light
✔ Stored until service

Consistency = predictable flavour = satisfied customers.

Conclusion

So—do you put wine in the fridge?
Yes, but only the right wines, at the right time, and in the right type of fridge.

Correct wine storage preserves the wine’s natural character, protects your venue’s investment, and ensures every guest enjoys the best version of the bottle you serve.

At Hospitality Connect, we know how much proper storage affects flavour, waste, and service quality. With the right approach—and the right equipment like the Fagor Vinetemp Wine Fridge—your venue can deliver perfectly stored wine, glass after glass.

➡ Shop Commercial Wine Fridges
https://hospitalityconnect.com.au/collections/wine-fridges

Frequently Asked Questions

Should wine be refrigerated?

Yes, but only specific wines and only for the right amount of time.
Sparkling, white, and rosé wines must be chilled. Reds should be served at cellar temperatures.

Can you keep wine in a regular fridge before it’s opened?

Only short-term.
Kitchen fridges are too cold and too dry for safe long-term storage.
Commercial venues should use a wine fridge or cellar.

What wine should not be refrigerated?

Full-bodied reds and wines intended for long-term aging.
Cold temperatures dull flavours and dry corks.

Is it OK to put ice in red wine?

Acceptable in casual settings, but ice dilutes flavour.
Use frozen grapes to chill without dilution.

What is the ideal time to serve red wine?

When it has breathed for a few minutes and reached its ideal serving temperature (e.g., 15–18°C). Proper timing enhances balance, aroma, and mouthfeel.