How do you think, can you store a bottle of wine and ensure it’s freshness and deluxe taste the very next day? I mean, it’s not a wise thought to abandon this heavenly nectar of the lords simply because you think that it’s tough to store it for a more extended period. Without further ado, let’s dive into how to store wine after opening a wine bottle.
Why open wine becomes bland?
After you open a wine bottle, the container fleetly gets filled with oxygen. This oxidizes the wine and turns it into vinegar. The vinegar taste doesn’t compliment your wine, to be honest. Instead, it ends up ruining the whole texture of it.
It is crucial to reduce the quantity of oxygen or the bottle’s surface area in such cases. There are many techniques you could follow to do so. And this would decrease the possibility of the wine getting ruined a lot quicker.
Master the basics
You don’t have to bother yourself worrying about how to store wine after opening. It does not take ample time or effort either. However, there are low cost and more comfortable choices. Let’s examine how we can increase the lifespan of this delicate drink!
Re-corking
The first and foremost rule of storing wine is to replace the cork as soon as you open the bottle. However, you must resist putting back the cork’s clean side instead of the already stained one. The clean side of the cork might not be that clean and may ruin the wine’s feel.
Using half bottles
Oxygen may flatten the wine, lessening the flavors and aromas. It’s suggested to use a funnel to pour the rest of the wine into a half bottle to avoid air exposure. Even a little amount of air at the top of the bottle is enough to destroy its elegance.
You’re only just reducing the ratio of wine and oxygen in the bottle by transferring it into a small bottle. You can find them at any local store and keep it for storing your expensive wines.
Refrigeration
Some people leave the wine back on the counter after drinking. That’s merely carefree and a waste of cash. A peak of air wouldn’t harm your delicacy much but can help release the stifled aromas. Therefore, you need to store your wine horizontally in the cooler.
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This way, the cork stays damp and swollen, which prevents air from entering the bottle. Also, the cool temperature slows down the process of oxidization and provides an extended storage period. Hence, one of the simplest ways to store wine would be refrigerating it.
Using inert gas
Inert gas doesn’t react with the wine. Instead, it creates a protective layer on the surface and replaces the oxygen in the bottle. Gases like Argon can remove the bottle’s oxygen that may have marked its presence when the wine bottle was opened.
You have to spray the gas into the bottle, put the cork back in its place tightly, and store it upright. It helps decrease the oxidation rate by a lot and preserves your precious drink.
Storing in dim light
Light exposure is essential to be kept at a minimum. Wine is to be stored in a dark place, free from sunlight and UV rays. The heat coming from such natural lights can speed up the oxidation process and cause an unpleasant smell.
You can also use LED as a light source since LED gives out an artificial light without giving off any heat. I mean, you wouldn’t like wandering in dark rooms, would you?
One thing to notice, wines mainly come in dark bottles so that they could be protected from the sun’s rays. It’s still better to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place for a better drinking experience.
Using gadgets and gizmos
By now, we’ve understood how to store the vino (Spanish for wine) in our abodes. But, we may require a few devices to preserve the wine for more than just a week. The listed gadgets below might save your costly delicacies after the opening!
Vacuum Pump
A vast amount of vacuum pumps can be found in the market, helping suck the air out of the wine bottle. The lesser the amount of oxygen in a bottle, the better the wine stays.
A few pumps come with a stopper, which can be inserted into the bottle, and then, you can exclude oxygen from the bottle. Also, this technique is used widely by wine lovers out there.
Champagne stopper
It’s hard to fit the original cock back into the bottle again. No worries, though. You can find champagne stoppers easily at wine stores or online. They are made of plastic or metal, which creates an air-tight seal. It would help if you mainly looked for the ones that have soft flanges near the top.
Wine shield
A circular and flexible disk is inserted in a half-drunk wine bottle. It floats on top of the wine and keeps the wine fresh for a more extended period. The floating lid is made with air bubbles and lets it float on the wine surface. It’s a viable option for those who don’t finish their bottles at one go.
Wine Cellar
A wine cellar may contain the four critical factors for storing and aging wine easily. A basement permits you to keep your wine aloof from food that may decay quickly. It also offers you that luxurious feeling and helps you produce your wine assortment. So, you’ll be able to regulate your liking and supply yourself with a pleasant wine on the spur.
Are Sparkling Wines OK?
People who don’t even take much alcohol can drink sparkling wines too. Also, day-old wines are preferred over the modern and fresh ones by alcohol lovers. The tricks explained above can keep your wine flavored for longer.
But, too much carbonation intake can harm you again. And so, it’s better to let the wine sit open for some time. This way, the flavors blossom perfectly. You really need to give this a try.
Frequently asked questions
Not! Some say a vacuum pump can ruin the drink’s flavor and aroma, giving out a blatant taste. Also, such pumps can only give a 70% of air, leaving plenty of air in the bottle and increase the risk of the seal getting leaked. Nevertheless, the other wine preservers save your dollars and back.
Some stoppers are designed to seal sparkling wines. Regular wines can be stored in refrigerators. But, storing sparkling wines can be a bit of a hassle. They can only be kept fresh for a few days, and so you might want to finish it up as soon as possible. They ought to be held in between 45-50° F if stored in refrigerators.
Mostly red. Red wines can be served and kept at room temperature sometimes. White wines are a bit bothering, though. They taste better when stored and served chilled. Champagne and dessert wines don’t require much attention either. But, it’s still advised to keep your drinks safe and chilled for an extended storage period.
Many like their wines chilled, while many at ambient temperatures. And that is because the weather has a significant effect on its taste. The appropriate temperature would express the flavors and aromas of the wine in a heavenly manner. It’s essential you know that fluctuating temperatures can damage the wine a lot more, and you need to avoid it.
Although each wine type is to be stored at different temperatures, for example, white wines taste good even if it stays between 50-54° F. Red stays elegant if it’s held at max 67°F and served chilled. Vintage and pinot wines can remain at a level of 47-62° F.
White wines are mainly dry, which won’t benefit you much if it ages. But, red wines can improve their quality with some age. The wines are created that way to reach their full potential gradually through aging.
But, once it’s opened, you can store it for a week maximum. A few tips and tricks on the go would perhaps extend the life of the wine by a day or two.
Conclusion
If you follow the above techniques with patience, you’re sure to adept at how to store wine after opening! Now, you wouldn’t need to bother about how you’re going to expand the shelf life of your precious wine.
You may have to nurse your cellar and make sure the temperature of the room is stable. Exquisite drinks like these develop variables in a person, like frugality and personal taste. And it may differ from person to person. Ending this, we hope this helps provide you a better drinking experience.
