How to store a bottle of wine after opening?
Feb 14, 2020
Is there any wine left at the end of your evening? Are you the only one drinking wine and you haven't finished the bottle? Do you want to keep your bottle in the best conditions? Discover all our tips for properly storing a bottle of wine after opening.
Tip 1: Lifespan depending on the color of the wine
On average, a corked bottle of red wine can be kept for 3 to 4 days in a cool place, protected from light. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
White wines are more fragile and can be kept for 2 to 3 days in the fridge, after which the wine will have evolved too much.
Tip 2: Clear the air!
It's simple, the emptier your bottle, the more the air present will attack the remaining wine. A half-filled bottle of wine will therefore last longer than the bottom of a bottle.
Removing the air from your opened bottle therefore increases its lifespan. You have several ways to do this:
- Transfer your wine into a smaller container, for example a 50cl glass bottle. There will be less contact with air and therefore less aging;
- Use a pressure cap;
- Use an air pump. For around a dozen euros, the pump will suck up all the air present in the bottle and allow it to be kept in the best conditions.
Tip 3: The case of Champagne
Forget the little spoon in the neck, it is ineffective. To preserve your champagne, opt for special corks which will maintain the effervescence for 24 hours. Beyond that, a champagne will have lost all its bubbles, so it is better to consume it as soon as it is opened.
You now know all the tips for keeping your bottle of wine as best as possible. Before throwing away a bottle that has been open for too long, don't hesitate to taste it; you might be surprised by its evolution or think about using it for cooking.