Should you open that next bottle of wine if you’re not sure you can finish it tonight? That question can become surprisingly torturous if you’re worried about letting a particularly fine bottle spoil after being exposed to the oxidizing effects of outside air for only a day or so. Fear not: your red wine won’t turn to vinegar quite so quickly: not if you take the proper precautions to keep an open bottle fresh (for as long as a week).
How to Store Open Wine in 4 Easy Steps
You will need
- 1 An open bottle of wine
- 2 A fridge
- 3 A mason jar
- 4 Platypus Platy Preserve (optional)
1
Know the Variety
Not all wines are created equal, and several varieties go bad unusually fast. Red wines in general are more sensitive to oxidation, especially Pinot Noir and light-colored reds like Grenache and Zinfandel. Organic wines and wines over a decade old are similarly quick to spoil. For these varietals, it’s best to plan on finishing the bottle in one sitting
2
Recork After Each Pour
The longer your wine is exposed to oxygen, the faster it will go bad. Slow the process by recorking the bottle after every pour, and storing it upright to minimize the amount of surface area exposed to the air.
3
Keep It Cold
If possible, store your opened wine in the fridge. even between pours. to help slow the oxidation process. Cool temperatures alone are enough to extend the shelf-life for at least a couple of days.
4
Store in a New Container
There are multiple gadgets designed to keep wine fresh longer. Some remove or block air from remaining inside the opened bottle. It’s generally simpler, however, to transfer your leftover wine to a more suitable container. The juice pouch-like Platy Preserve makes storing wine as easy as squeezing air out of a ziplock baggie, but you needn’t run to your nearest wine retailer if you have an appropriately sized mason jar. Simply fill the jar as close to the top as possible to reduce the amount of air in the container, and screw on the airtight lid. Your wine should easily last five days or more (though five days seems like a long time to go without revisiting a great bottle).