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Is it harmful for wines to be stored in cardboard boxes?
Q: I have heard that it is harmful for wines to be stored in cardboard boxes as over time, they release a wet paper smell that taints the wine. Is that true? --Sun
A: I don't believe there is any scientific basis for your contention. Wine is stored in impermeable glass bottles, hermetically sealed with corks or other sealants, then topped with metal, wax or plastic capsules. Dr. Andrew Waterhouse, professor of enology at U.C. Davis, says that even wines exposed to fumigation will be safe. However, if the box is damp, there is a chance that the wines' labels could be stained over time. So it's probably best that you rack your wines if possible.
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