Not every bottle of wine is happy aboard a boat, according to oenologists, who warn that constant motion and changing temperatures can turn an expensive pinot into a very expensive salad dressing. So, how can you preserve the freshness of your favorite wine while at sea?
Wine is a perfect pairing with boats: a delightful glass makes for a relaxing sundowner in the cockpit at the end of a day on the water.
Warning: Coast Guard patrols are not wine connoisseurs, and even if you’re sipping a 1961 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($5000), they frown on drinking and boating. Be forewarned.
That said, there are several areas to consider when paring boats and wine. The wines must be maintained at the proper temperature and humidity, the contents must be kept in the dark, they must be protected from movement, and the bottles must be stored properly.
The ideal temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with the humidity about 70%. That’s no problem in Tampa: just put the bottles low in the bilge close to the hull and you’re home free. This will also solve your darkness concerns.
Movement is natural on a boat, but you can minimize it by placing the wines far from vibration from engines or systems. All corked wines benefit from storage on their side, and to prevent irritating clanking, slip each bottle into a sock (colored red or white!) to separate them.
Many cabin boats have wine chillers, like hotel mini-fridges, that keep the wines cool and safe, and yachts may have dedicated rooms set aside for wine storage and consumption. The 116-foot Hargrave from Galati Yacht Sales, for example, includes a wall display cabinet for special wines.
Wine snobs may scorn, but boxed wines, like Black Box wines, work exceptionally well on boats. They store easily and, with screw tops, can save for another day.
Here’s to wine: may it long float your boat!
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
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