We all enjoy a glass of vino every now and then. After all, you’ve probably heard that glass or two every now and again is good for you. Just one problem: if we stick to just a moderate pouring, what do we do with the rest?
Storing open wine can be a tricky business. Do it wrong and not only can you ruin the flavor, but you could give harmful microbes a place to take root.
So to keep your wine fresh, and more importantly safe to drink, here are some basic tips that you should follow.
- Minimize Exposure to Oxygen
When it comes to storing wine after opening, oxygen is the enemy.
Oxygen turns wine into vinegar over time. Not only that, but the air is full of bacteria, fungal spores, and other microbes that can contaminate the wine and spoil it faster.
To combat this, the first step is to reseal the bottle before storing it. You can reuse the same cork if you kept it, but be sure to use the side already stained with wine. While the “clean” side may be easier to fit back into the neck, it can be rife with dust or airborne contaminants that will spoil the wine.
Alternatively, just invest in reusable wine stoppers. They’re especially handy if you end up storing open wine without cork. Just be sure to keep them clean.
- Use Half Bottles or Vacuum Sealers
As oxygen is the enemy, you want to minimize the amount of it in the bottle when storing wine after opening.
Pouring your leftovers into a clean half-bottle minimizes the amount of air trapped inside your wine. Or you could use a hand-held vacuum pump from the grocery store to vacuum seal your bottle, helping to extend its lifespan.
- Keep It Cool
After oxygen, heat and light are the next greatest threat to wine. Hence, the proper storing of open wine means putting it in a cold, dark place.
Your refrigerator is the ideal spot. If you have a chilled win cabinet, avoid putting it there. Laying the bottle sideways on the rack will increase the surface area exposed to any air left in the bottle, encouraging it to spoil faster.
- Don’t “Open” the Bottle at All
In an ideal world, it would be possible to pour a glass from one of your premium bottles without popping the cork at all. And thanks to this company, you can practically do just that.
The Coravin is a device that looks a lot like a standard rabbit opener. What makes it special though is that rather than removing the cork, it pierces a tiny hole in it, only wide enough to pour from.
It replaces the poured wine with argon gas, preventing oxygen or bacteria from contaminating the bottle. And when you’re done, the hole left is so small that the cork naturally seals itself.
If you want a taste of one of your best wines without committing to a whole bottle, the Coravin is a necessity.
Storing Open Wine Is More Science Than Art
You shouldn’t feel rushed to polish off every bottle you open that same evening. Especially not a top-shelf bottom that would be better savored over a couple of evenings.
But once you understand the technique of storing open wine, it’s as simple as following these steps.
Now all you need is the right setting to enjoy your next bottle. Whether you need a simple weeknight meal to go with your libation, or you’re hosting a weekend wine tasting, be sure to keep up with all our latest food and lifestyle views to be sure you can enjoy yourself in style.
