Today at Excellent Cork we’re talking about the vacuum pump! How many times have you had to open a bottle of wine just to drink one glass? It’s a very common situation since you’re not always ready to drink a whole bottle in one day, even with the help of others.
Oxygen is the main enemy of wine once it’s opened. When it comes into contact with air, the oxidation process speeds up, and the wine loses its organoleptic qualities very quickly. To solve this problem and avoid spoiling the remaining wine, vacuum pumps for bottles were created.
What is a wine vacuum pump?
The wine vacuum pump is an essential device for any wine lover or winemaker. These instruments became popular in the 1980s, marketed by several brands such as the Dutch company Vacu Vin. The idea is to extract the air from the wine bottle after opening it, creating a partial vacuum to place a new completely airtight stopper, thereby replacing the original wine bottle stopper.
The oxygen inside the bottle is responsible for the wine’s oxidation and deterioration. The faster the air is extracted and the bottle is tightly sealed, the more the degradation of the wine is delayed, preserving its aromas and flavors for as long as possible.
How does a vacuum pump work?
The mechanism of a wine vacuum pump is simple and is based on concepts such as atmospheric pressure and suction. It consists of two main parts:
- A vacuum stopper that seals the wine bottle. It is usually synthetic, made of rubber or silicone, the best materials to guarantee an airtight seal for a few days.
- A manual or electric pump that extracts the air from the bottle.
When the pump is activated, it creates a partial vacuum inside the bottle, removing most of the excess oxygen. In addition to preventing oxidation, it also prevents fermentation and the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the wine.
This device has been improved over at least three decades, and today, some models are considered a “gadget” for wine enthusiasts.
Benefits of using a vacuum pump for your wines
The use of vacuum pumps brings multiple benefits for individuals and hospitality businesses. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Prolongs the life of the wine by minimizing oxidation.
- Keeps the wine’s flavor, aroma, and color intact for a few additional days.
- It’s also useful for preserving high-quality wines.
- It’s the best solution to make the most of the contents of wine bottles once they are opened.
- It’s easy to use and takes up little space, so it can be kept in any kitchen or home wine cellar.
- The cost pays off quickly, especially if you consume medium to high-priced wines.
Types of wine vacuum pumps
There are two main types of wine bottle pumps: manual and electric.
Manual pumps
Manual vacuum pumps work very simply by operating a lever or piston that mechanically removes the air from the bottle. They are inexpensive, portable, and do not use batteries or cables.
The downside is that they must be operated by hand, and therefore they may be less precise. Other than that, they work perfectly.
Electric pumps
Electric vacuum pumps use a motor and pneumatic systems to extract air. They create a much more precise vacuum, automatically and intelligently in some cases.
They are more expensive but also more powerful and effective. They use sensors to precisely control the internal pressure or detect leaks. Some models use batteries, while others are rechargeable.
How to choose the best vacuum pump
When buying a vacuum pump, you should consider several features:
- Pump capacity: the greater the vacuum it generates, the better the wine preservation.
- Accessories: check that it includes universal stoppers of different sizes.
- Warranty: quality brands usually offer more than 2 years of warranty.
- Brand: go for manufacturers specialized in the wine sector, who can demonstrate their expertise.
- Budget: electric pumps offer better results but are more expensive. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of prices to fit any budget.
