Seeking Opinions on Long Term Storage in STYROFOAM

Im a Dad · Post by **Im a Dad** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:02 am

I've often wondered whether the styrofoam gives off an odor that might affect port wine over the long haul. Any opinions would be welcomed.

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:18 pm

It depends if you mean storing in a styrofoam box, or just using inserts. If you mean completely encasing the wine in styrofoam then I think you might want to think twice about that.

I recall someone relaying their experience with it before with bad results. The corks need to breathe and chances are with styrofoam the smell may work its way into the wine, and mold may form inside the foam and made its way into the cork.

I'll leave the floor for someone who truly knows, but I do recall someone in the past saying they had stored their wine in a styrofoam case and ruined it. Not sure if that was a one-off or not, but it would seem to be something to be avoided.

Mike.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:34 pm

I would not store wine in styrofoam for the long haul. A year or so though, I doubt would have much effect on a Port. Styrofoam is meant to protect bottles during shipping and is not a material suggested for any type of long term storage ... even though it is a great insulator against temperature variation. I don't know whether or not there is any definitive scientific proof. Nonetheless, why take any chance?