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Location: Lewiston, NY
The wine that most of us buy, something like 99% or more of all wine actually, is drunk and is intended to be drunk within the first year after bottling. Wine that should be put away to age shouldn't be stored on those wine racks. They would be put in a wine cellar or temp/humidity controlled wine cooler. So don't worry whether the bottles are flat or slanted, doesn't matter.
Buy 'em and drink 'em.
John
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Joined: Nov 2008
The reason wine bottles are stored flat is to keep oxygen from entering the wine. Oxygen (oxidation) will affect the taste of the wine and even turn it into vinegar if left to sIt in that state. Turning the bottle on its side keeps the cork wet which expanded and keep the bottle air tight. Keeping the bottle upright may dry out the cork which will shrink and introduce oxygen into the wine. However storing wine bottles upright that are sealed with screw tops or synthetic cork is perfectly fine.
Johnet