Is it necessary to turn your bottles occasionally while storing them in a wine cooler?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
It is best to avoid moving bottles, particularly of red wine, which are being held for a long period in a wine cellar (on their sides, of course). The reason is simply that moving the bottles may dislodge any sediment that has accumulated. This is rarely an issue with white wines except for very old vintages. As a rule, it seems best that wines in a cellar be left undisturbed, on the assumption that handling and vibration may interfere with the "ideal" evolution of the wine. This is a difficult proposition to test, however, and there really isn't a great deal of scientific research to substantiate this widespread perception. There are so many variables to take into account - the individual wine at different stages, its "life experience" before it was cellared, the closure, temperature, humidity, etc. In any case, there is nothing to be gained from turning - that is, rotating - wine bottles kept in a horizontal position.
