How to preserve an opened wine? Surely one of your favorite moments is when you get home tired after a hard day’s work and uncork one of those bottles of your favorite wine. You savor it, enjoy the moment, and once you’re done, you think: what do I do with what’s left?
At Excellent Cork, as experts in manufacturing synthetic corks for bottles, we know how to preserve an opened wine. In this article, we have prepared a guide so that you also know how to do it and can enjoy your bottles without needing to finish them at the moment.
Interested? Then keep reading, we’ll tell you everything.
Why is it important to properly preserve opened wine?
Properly preserving opened bottles is crucial to maintain their organoleptic qualities intact and enjoy their flavor. Improperly storing wine, especially after opening the bottle, can quickly deteriorate it. This affects its aroma, taste, and texture, causing it to lose the characteristics that initially made it pleasant to the palate.
If you learn to preserve it correctly, both white and red, you prolong its shelf life and ensure that every glass you pour afterwards maintains the freshness and flavor profile that is so valued in this drink.
Methods to preserve wine once opened
There are various very effective ways to preserve wine after opening it. Keeping an opened bottle in perfect condition is necessary to preserve its quality. One suitable way to achieve this is by using airtight stoppers specifically designed for wine. These stoppers prevent air entry, helping to prevent premature oxidation and maintain its aromas and flavor for longer.
Reuse the original stopper or use an airtight stopper
When it comes to wine preservation, choosing the right stopper is of great importance. It is preferable to use an airtight stopper specifically designed for wine, as it provides a more effective seal than the original stopper, which may not be as effective at protecting it from oxidation. An airtight stopper helps to maintain the qualities for longer, ensuring that each glass you pour is as pleasant as the first one you served when opening the bottle.
Use a vacuum pump to remove the air
Does opened wine go bad immediately? Not necessarily, but exposure to air can accelerate its deterioration. To prevent this, an effective technique is to use a vacuum pump to remove the air from the bottle once opened. This helps minimize oxidation and better preserves the wine’s aromas and flavors. The pump creates an airtight environment within the bottle, thereby extending the wine’s shelf life and keeping it in conditions as close to the first opening as possible.
The ideal temperature to preserve opened wine
The storage temperature of wine is one of the most important factors to maintain its quality after opening the bottle. This ideal temperature varies according to the type of wine; generally, white and rosé wines are best preserved between 7°C and 10°C, while red wines usually prefer slightly higher temperatures, around 15°C to 18°C.
To achieve this temperature, you can store the bottle in a refrigerator or fridge set to the appropriate temperature, ideally in a wine cooler if you have one. If not, an option is to use a wine cooler or an ice bucket with water to maintain a constant temperature for as long as you want to preserve it. Avoid places with extreme temperature fluctuations and ensure the bottle is protected from direct light, as this can alter the wine’s flavor.
How long does opened wine last?
Once a bottle is uncorked, it is important to know how long you can keep it open before it goes bad.
How long do red, white, or other wines last once opened?
- White: especially those that are fresher and lighter, can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days after opening. It is essential to keep the bottle well sealed with its original stopper or an airtight stopper to minimize air exposure and preserve its acidity and freshness. If it starts to lose its brightness or develop oxidized flavors, it is a sign that it is nearing the end of its useful life after being opened.
- Red: due to their higher tannin content and structure, tend to keep a little longer than whites. They can remain in good condition for 3 to 7 days if stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar. Using an airtight stopper is crucial to reduce oxidation, which can alter its flavor and cause it to lose its fruity character and smoothness.
- Rosé: similar to white in terms of duration, rosé wines can be kept for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator once opened. Due to their fresh and fruity profile, it is important to properly seal the bottle after each serving to preserve its liveliness and aroma.
- Sparkling: are known for their effervescence and freshness. However, once opened, these wines quickly lose their carbonation and freshness. It is recommended to consume them within the first 24 hours after opening the bottle to fully enjoy their bubbles and characteristic flavor.
Remember that a good bottle seal and proper storage are vital to prevent them from spoiling prematurely.
Does wine expire once opened?
Once a bottle of wine is opened, it does not expire in the traditional sense like perishable foods. However, its quality can deteriorate over time due to oxidation and exposure to air. Wines can become flatter, lose fruity aromas and flavors, and in some cases, develop undesirable notes such as a vinegar smell. The rate at which this occurs varies depending on the type of wine and how it is stored after opening.
Now that you know how to preserve opened wine, you can enjoy your bottles with the peace of mind that they are in the best condition to be appreciated on any occasion. The synthetic stoppers from Excellent Cork are the ideal choice to carry out this mission properly.
FAQs and frequently asked questions about preserving opened wine
- How can I preserve opened red wine? To preserve opened red wine, it is recommended to use an airtight stopper and store it in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar. This helps reduce oxidation and maintain its qualities for longer. An airtight stopper can be more effective than the original to prevent air entry.
- How long can opened white wine last? White wines, especially fresher and lighter ones, can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. It is essential to keep the bottle well sealed with its original stopper or an airtight stopper to minimize air exposure and preserve its freshness.
- Is it necessary to refrigerate opened wine? Yes, refrigerating opened wine is highly recommended as the cold slows down oxidation and better preserves the wine’s aromas and flavors. Even red wines can benefit from being stored in the fridge, although they should be allowed to return to room temperature before serving.
- What tools can help preserve opened wine? Besides airtight stoppers, a vacuum pump is an excellent tool to remove air from the bottle, minimizing oxidation. Another more professional option is the Coravin, which allows wine to be extracted without removing the cork, preventing the wine from being exposed to oxygen and extending its shelf life up to three weeks.
- How should sparkling wines be preserved once opened? Sparkling wines require special treatment. Vacuum pumps should not be used as they would eliminate the bubbles. Instead, specific champagne stoppers should be used, which can preserve the bubbles for up to five days. Keeping these wines in a dark place also helps preserve their quality.
