Wine collecting has become increasingly popular and common over the last century with people of average or above income. Prior to this it was only the rich who would have wine collections which was usually located in the cellars of their homes. Of course this wine was only for family and guest use and was not so much viewed as an investment but rather as a need.
If wine has been stored correctly it can last for many years. Wine needs to be stored in the correct temperature and humidity in order for it to remain in good condition. 

Temperature

Temperature is a key factor in preserving your wine and allowing it to age well. The best temperature for wine storage is 56 – 58 degrees F. Organic esters in the wine gives it its characteristic flavor. At this temperature wine ages well and tastes great.

Different types of wines should be served at different temperatures. Use the following as a guide:

Red, rich, and full bodied wines are best served between 59 - 68 degrees F

• Rose, Blush, and Dry White wines should be served at 46 - 57 degrees F
• Light Red is better served at 54 - 57 degrees F
• Sparkling wines and Champagne should be served at 43 - 47 degrees F

A simple guide is that red wines can be served directly from storage and white wines should be removed from storage to the refrigerator before serving.

Controlling Humidity

Humidity levels of 70% RH or higher is optimal for wine storage. At this humidity level the cork will not shrink which prevents oxygen from slowly leaking into the bottle, causing oxidation and converting the wine to acid. Bitter wine is usually the result of oxidation, and humidity plays a big roll in preventing oxidation.

Ullage is the gap between the wine in the bottle and the cork. “Proper ullage” describes the distance that should exist between the cork and the wine. If the humidity level is maintained at 70% RH you will have cause the cork to expand and no wine can escape. Proper ullage makes the cork last longer and the wine stay fresher.

If the humidity of the wine bottle is lower than the 70%, the opposite will happen with wine slowly leaking from the bottle and the cork drying out, allowing oxygen to leak in. Air, or oxygen, is a wine destroyer.

If the wine in a bottle is filled to a high level this is generally a sign of a new wine or a very good wine of 5 – 15 years of age. If the wine is below the shoulder of the bottle the wine is probably not drinkable. Depending on the age and type of the wine the level of wine in the bottle will be different however the level should be at least to the upper shoulder on the bottle. When you find the wine level above the shoulder, you can be fairly certain it’s a good bottle of wine.

Red wine is different from white wine in several aspects including how it’s made, proper serving temperatures, and its health benefits. It also has developed a reputation as a robust, rich drink to be savored with a cigar or a good steak.  It is the masculine wine

when red wine is made, it gets its color from the grape’s skin. The grapes are crushed and the skins are left in the juice.  Tannins and flavanoids, healthy antioxidants, are naturally occurring substances found in the grape skins that are released into the wine.  Since the skins are left in during the winemaking process, red wines have a much higher level of flavanoids and tannins than white wine.

Health Benefits

Everyone knows red wine has healthy affects on the body, but what are those health benefits? And why are they mostly present in red wine and not white?
Because red wine is made by leaving the grape skins in for a period of time, the antioxidant flavanoids have a chance to be released into the wine.  Studies have shown that antioxidants like catechins and resveratrol prevent free-radicals from destroying cells in the body.  They also boost the immune system, prevent some types of cancer, and prevent heart disease.

Serving Recommendations

Red wine should be served at a warmer temperature than white wine. 57-68 °F is a perfect temperature for reds.  Room temperature is thought to be reasonable for red wine.  However, some prefer it a bit cooler during the summer. Nowadays, every wine seems to have its own glass.  Generally red wine is served in a larger bowl shaped glass than white wines, but red can be served in a traditional 10 oz wine glass.  Keep in mind that when serving red wine, you should never fill the glass more than two thirds full. Some European studies and a 2003 Harvard study has demonstrated that resveratrol may prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease by preserving cognitive function in the elderly. 

Keep in mind that healthful benefits of red wine come from moderate consumption of one to two glasses a day.  Anything more than that and the healthful effects decrease.  So, more is definitely not better in this case.

Red Wine Aging

After wine has been in the bottle for a while, it changes. The strong fruity tastes begin to mellow. the astringent tannins in red wine relax and start feeling smooth in your mouth. Once the strong tannins take a backseat, the more subtle flavors can make an appearance.
With age, red wine’s most powerful flavors subside and all the smells and tastes will blend and swirl together. And people pay a premium for that process. But if you love cabernet because of all the blackberry fruit tastes, you might not like it to be aged. And, let’s not forget the time and trouble of storing the wine to enable the aging process.  This alone can drive up the cost of premium aged red wine.