Once you pop open that bottle of wine, the clock starts ticking. Wine begins to oxidize and lose its flavor and aroma almost immediately upon exposure to air. But with the right tools and techniques, you can slow down the aging process and keep your wine fresher for longer. This guide will walk you through the best practices for preserving opened wine, from re-corking to specialized gadgets. Read on to learn how to make the most of every bottle, even after that first pour.
Why Wine Goes Bad Once Opened
Wine contains natural preservatives like sulfur dioxide and tannins that help stabilize it. As long as the bottle is sealed, the wine is protected from too much oxygen exposure. But as soon as you uncork a bottle, oxygen can interact with the wine. This starts an oxidization reaction, which causes the wine’s aroma, flavor, texture and color to deteriorate rapidly.
The enemies of opened wine are heat, light and excess oxygen. Warm temperatures accelerate chemical reactions, speeding up the aging process. UV light can damage wine molecules and produce off-flavors. And perhaps the biggest culprit, oxygen enables oxidation reactions. Phenolic compounds in the wine react with oxygen to produce acetaldehyde, which has a nutty, bruised apple flavor. The wine loses its fresh, fruity notes.
How Long Does Opened Wine Last?
How quickly opened wine goes bad depends on the wine varietal and initial quality. In general:
| White wines | 2-5 days |
| Light reds | 3-7 days |
| Full-bodied reds | 5-10 days |
Higher acidity and tannins help wines retain quality for longer when exposed to oxygen. Sweeter, lower-acid wines decline fastest. Fortunately, with the right storage methods, you can prolong opened wine’s shelf life significantly.
How to Keep Opened Wine Fresh
Minimizing oxygen exposure is the key to keeping opened wine in good condition for several days to a week. Here are professional tips for preserving wine after the bottle has been uncorked.
Use the Wine’s Original Cork
Re-corking with the original cork is one of the simplest ways to extend opened wine’s lifespan. Insert the cork firmly back into the bottle, then store it upright in the fridge. The cork will form an airtight seal to slow oxidation. Refrigeration also helps by creating a cool, stable environment.
Before re-corking, consider pouring unused wine into a smaller bottle if there is only a glass or two left. This minimizes the oxygen inside the bottle. Make sure unused wine reaches the very top of its container. Top off any headspace with an inert gas like Argon if you have access to it.
Submerge the Cork in Wine
For a better seal, submerge the original cork in the wine for 15-30 seconds before re-inserting. This will expand the cork and improve its ability to make tight contact with the bottle neck. Rotate the bottle to coat all sides of the cork with wine. The small amount of swelling helps create a tighter fit and robust barrier to oxygen.
Use a Wine Preservation System
Specialized wine preservation systems take the guesswork out of storage. Products like Coravin and Vacu Vin provide a reliable seal for opened bottles.
Coravin is a wine access needle device. It protects wine through a combination of argon gas and a proprietary non-coring needle that passes through the cork.Argon displaces oxygen in the bottle to prevent oxidation.
Alternatively, Vacu Vin’s wine saver pumps out air and re-seals the bottle via a rubber stopper. It’s more compact and affordable than Coravin.
These technologies keep oxygen away from wine for 1-2 weeks after opening. They’re simple to use – just a few seconds for preservation that lasts.
Transfer to Smaller Bottles
For everyday wine storage, divide remaining wine into smaller containers with tight seals and minimal ullage (empty headspace). 375mL and 500mL bottles are best for holding 1-2 glasses worth of wine. Store them upright in the fridge. Smaller bottles have less oxygen to react with the wine.
Avoid oversize bottles, as excess oxygen will speed up oxidation. Make sure to seal any temporary containers well, whether with screw caps, stoppers or even plastic wrap over the opening secured with a rubber band. Fill bottles as close to the rim as possible.
Use a Wine Preservation Spray
Wine preserver sprays like Private Preserve displace oxygen and create a protective layer on top of wine. Simply spray the inert gas into the bottle for 30 seconds after re-corking. The argon or nitrogen gas will force oxygen out of the container.
This protective spray buys you an extra couple of days. It’s extremely portable and convenient for preserving partly-consumed wine in restaurants. Just be sure to fully re-cork or seal the bottle after spraying.
Invest in Wine Stoppers
From simple rubber stoppers to more elaborate vacuum pumps, wine stoppers are handy for sealing opened bottles. They provide a tight seal and often remove oxygen from the bottle. Search for stoppers that fit your bottle size and shape.
Use stoppers in conjunction with wine refrigerator storage for optimum preservation. Stoppers paired with an argon spray provide multiple lines of defense against oxygen. This can extend the life of opened wine to 10 days or longer.
Use a Wine Preservation System
Specialized wine preservation systems take the guesswork out of storage. Products like Coravin and Vacu Vin provide a reliable seal for opened bottles.
Coravin is a wine access needle device. It protects wine through a combination of argon gas and a proprietary non-coring needle that passes through the cork.Argon displaces oxygen in the bottle to prevent oxidation.
Alternatively, Vacu Vin’s wine saver pumps out air and re-seals the bottle via a rubber stopper. It’s more compact and affordable than Coravin.
These technologies keep oxygen away from wine for 1-2 weeks after opening. They’re simple to use – just a few seconds for preservation that lasts.
Store Opened Wine in the Fridge
Put any leftover wine in the refrigerator, especially whites and rosés. The cold temperature dramatically slows down chemical reactions and oxidation. Red wines also benefit from fridge storage – many varieties can handle the chill for temporary preservation.
Just make sure to return lighter reds like Pinot Noir to cool room temperature about 30 minutes before drinking. Colder temps can mute the subtle flavors of lower-tannin reds. The optimal wine fridge temperature is between 45-65°F.
If you don’t have room in your main refrigerator, purchase a small wine fridge just for storing partially-consumed bottles. Constant cool conditions keep opened wine in good shape for days.
Use Argon Gas to Displace Oxygen
Some wine lovers go the extra mile by using inert argon gas to blanket and protect opened wine from oxygen damage. Special canisters allow you to spray argon into the bottle before sealing it up. The heavier-than-air argon displaces existing air and oxygen.
However, this method can get costly and involved for everyday wine storage. Smaller-scale options like a wine preservation spray or stopper are likely sufficient. Save the argon treatment for fine wines you want to keep pristine for special occasions.
Does Opened Wine Last Longer with a Bottle Vacuum?
Vacuum wine stoppers can effectively extend opened bottle life span. They suck out oxygen and form a tight seal using pressure on the cork or bottle opening. This prevents further air from entering.
Vacuum sealing buys white wines 2-3 extra days and red wines 4-5 extra days typically. Models like Vacu Vin provide a quick vacuum seal with a manual pump. Automatic vacuum stoppers require less effort.
For best results, maximize vacuum pressure and seal consistency by first chilling wine in the fridge before applying the stopper. Colder wine ensures a tighter seal. Store stoppered wine bottles at optimal refrigeration temperatures. Do not freeze wine.
Does Opened Wine Last Longer in the Fridge?
Yes, proper refrigeration can double or even triple the shelf life of opened wine. The colder the storage temperature, the slower chemical aging processes occur in wine. A wine fridge provides ideal conditions between 45-65°F.
Young, fruity wines in particular benefit from fridge storage. The low temperatures preserve delicate aromas and flavors that dissipate quicker at room temp. Refrigeration buys an extra couple days of freshness.
Just keep in mind some reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo can taste hollow and muted when too cold. Allow them to warm up before drinking. Sparkling wines also lose effervescence faster in the fridge.
Does Wine Last Longer in Smaller Bottles?
Absolutely – pouring leftover wine into smaller bottles helps minimize oxidation. Less surface area and headspace means less oxygen exposure. Aim for containers that allow you to fill wine right up to the neck. Half-size 375mL and 500mL bottles are great options.
Green or clear glass is best since it blocks less visible light, which can damage opened wine over time. But any sealed, airtight smaller vessel will suffice in a pinch. Just avoid large-format bottles or carafes, as they have too much oxygen contact.
Always fully re-seal any temporary storage containers, whether with a cork, stopper or screw cap. Refrigerate smaller bottles for maximum shelf life extension.
What is the Best Way to Keep Opened Wine Fresh Overnight?
For keeping open wine fresh overnight, or up to 2 days, follow these steps:
– Re-cork the bottle tightly, ideally after submerging the cork in wine briefly. Place upright in the fridge.
– Transfer any remaining wine to a smaller bottle, leaving minimal headspace. Seal it; refrigerate.
– Consider using an oxygen-absorbing stopper designed for short term storage. Vacuum seal if possible.
– Spray inert gas like argon or nitrogen into the bottle before re-sealing.
– Ensure wine is stored between 45-65°F overnight.
– When in doubt, freeze grape juice ice cubes to top off smaller containers. The frozen juice minimizes oxidation.
Repeat as needed every 1-2 days for 3-5 days maximum storage time. Avoid exposing leftover wine to heat and light.
Conclusion
With the right strategies, you can enjoy opened wine for up to a week without compromising taste or quality. Minimize oxygen exposure by keeping bottles full, tightly sealed and refrigerated. Use corks, stoppers and preservation systems to prevent oxidation. By blocking light and chilling wine, you can dramatically slow the aging process once bottles are opened. Follow these professional tips for fresh, delicious wine even after the first glass.
