Should wine bottles be stored on their side?

The tradition of storing wine on its side exists for one simple reason: to keep the cork wet. Natural cork is slightly porous, and when it dries out, it shrinks — sometimes by as much as a millimetre. That tiny gap lets air creep in, and oxygen is wine's worst long-term enemy.

When a bottle lies flat, the wine constantly touches the cork, keeping it plump and sealed tight. Some experts suggest a very slight angle (around 5°) with the cork end slightly elevated, so the air bubble also sits against the cork — but honestly, perfectly horizontal works great for home storage.

Here's the twist: screw caps, synthetic corks, and crown caps don't need this treatment at all. They seal regardless of position. So that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a screw cap? Stand it up, lay it down — doesn't matter.

Sparkling wines are a special case. The internal pressure (about 6 atmospheres in Champagne) keeps the cork moist from the inside, so storing them upright is technically fine. Many Champagne houses actually store their bottles neck-down during ageing (sur pointe) for riddling purposes.

Whatever the position, keep bottles away from vibrations. Vibrations stir up sediment and accelerate chemical reactions — not what you want for wines you're ageing.