MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
We were all given a crate of hand-selected nice wines by our boss for Christmas and I was wondering what is the best way of storing opened wine?
It is just me and I am not usually inclined to drink a whole bottle in an evening, so it would be nice to be able to store it once opened.
Any suggestions? I have seen advice ranging from decanting into a smaller bottle through to pumping argon into the bottle to displace the air.
We have, but never use, a pump which sucks out the air and produces a vacuum. These days I just neck the lot though. Don't think it was expensive and it came highly recommended.
Various stoppers and pumps are available for a few quid. Red wine is probably ok "breathing" for one day, white less so.
Simplest solution is save the cork and turn upside down and push back in. Still wouldn't leave it too long to drink up though.
If you're going to be drinking it within a couple of days then best stored in the fridge.
If you search on the internet for vac-u-vin. That pumps the air out of the bottle, creating a vacuum, which keeps the wine fresher for longer.
I know white wine can be stored in the fridge, but would you do that with red as well?
For most reds no.
top tip, if its slightly fizzy wine (e.g. prosecco) my wife swears by putting a spoon in the neck (and bottle in fridge) seems to have some effect, can't explain why though!
I've just been reading up on those pump things and they appear to be worse that useless.
Best thing for opened wine is to share it!
Vacu Vin works well for me. If does seem more effective on screw top bottles though, which have a wider neck.
+1 for spoon in the neck of a bottle of fizz.
I quite like a chilled red 😯 so in the fridge for me
I worked in catering and with good wine for a long time and the honest answer is that there is no perfect way.
The pumps don't work as there is still plenty of air in there, they just create a bit of pressure. Red wine is generally ok for a day or 2, just put the cork back in to stop dust getting in but bar that do nothing. White is the same, I won't leave it for longer than a day but most will be ok for 2, just keep it in the fridge.
There used to be an inert gas available that you sprayed into a bottle that kept air away from the wine but I've not seen that for a long time. Oh, and the spoon think is an old wives tail, it simply does not work. You can get champagne stoppers but they barely stop the fizz being list.
If you cook with it, you can pour it into ice bags and freeze it. Use a few blocks of it every time your recipe needs it.
I worked in catering and with good wine for a long time and the honest answer is that there is no perfect way.
That is pretty much the conclusion I am coming to as well, judging by the research I have done.
I might just save it for when I can share with others.
I'd do what cb says, cook with the leftover.
I'd do what cb says, cook with the leftover.
Not really an option as I don't cook with it.
Shove the cork back in and stick it in the fridge door, it'll be fine for a few days (red or white).
Vac u vin or drink it in one go.