How to Store Open Bottles of Wine

There are various methods for storing opened bottles of wine; using a bottle stopper/vacuum pump is the most popular method.
Vacuum pumps and stoppers aren't that expensive and mean you can enjoy your favourite wine a day after you've opened it.
We recommend that you don't leave a wine open for more than 3 /4 days.

What do you do with your bottle of wine after only having a glass? This is often the case; you have one or two glasses of wine, then the rest of the bottle is left. Therefore we have produced this guide to help you know the best way to keep your wine after it has been opened. You will never waste a single drop again!

Extending the life of the wine…

Here are a few simple ways to extend the quality of the wine. Forget the days when you would refer to an opened bottle of wine as ‘cooking wine’.

Recork wine

Recork

This is the method that first springs to mind for most people; however, it is probably the least effective way to preserve wine. It can be an excellent way to preserve white and rosé wines; however, it is not the best solution for your wine.

Plastic bottle stopper

Plastic / Silicone Bottle Stoppers

This is a simple and easy way to preserve your wine and is ideal between servings. (See the Grip wine bottle stoppers)

Wine preserver

Wine Preserver

This preservation method includes sealers and a pump. The sealer features a coloured indicator to let you know whether your opened bottle of wine is protected from the air.

Wine shield

Wine Shield

This innovative product is a plastic disc that floats on any opened wine bottle (750ml). The thin plastic disc creates a barrier to oxidation and preserves the wine for up to 5 days from opening.

See our fantastic selection of wine preservation products on offer.

If you have forgotten to preserve your opened bottle of wine, then put the wine to good use! There is no need to waste a glass of good wine. Use the wine in your cooking or if it has turned to vinegar, use it as a delicious salad dressing. Another alternative is to freeze leftover wine in ice-cubes trays and keep it for cooking. A top tip we have learnt is to write the date of opening on the wine bottle label so you can keep track of the number of days passed.

With all the preservation methods mentioned, you still need to make sure the wine bottle is kept out of the light and stored in the fridge. Wine should also be kept separated from odours that could taint the wine. If you require further information on wine preservation methods, please contact us; we are more than happy to help.

How long before the wine goes bad?

This is a question which many wine lovers and enthusiasts want to know the answer to! As a general rule of thumb (this does not apply to all wines), white wines hold well for 1/2 days, whereas red wines will last for up to 2/3, possibly four days. This refers to open wine bottles that are recorked. Preservation methods will typically help preserve wine for slightly longer than this!

Sparkling wine is an exception and does not bode well with the above-stated preservation methods. Instead, you can use a sparkling wine bottle stopper which is perfect for 'keeping the fizz' and maintains a seal for up to three days! However, we all know sparkling wine is rarely left untouched…

It is important to note that wine, once opened, cannot be kept for weeks or months; you should consume it within a few days of opening.

Tips on how to store open red wine

Store your red wine bottles upright; storing wine on its side means the surface area exposed to oxygen increases.
Avoid storing red wine in the light, especially direct sunlight. Sun exposure can cause discolouration and flavour damage to the wine.
Store open red wines in the fridge; however, remember you should never chill unopened red wine too much.

Which red wines deteriorate after opening?

One of the most sensitive red wines to oxidise is Pinot Noir, so remember this the next time you open a bottle of this type of wine! Older wines over 8-10 years will generally deteriorate quicker because of their components and tannin levels. If you opt for vintage red wine, make sure you have enough willing people to help finish the bottle (this shouldn’t be a problem).

Organic wine is generally regarded as more fragile than other red wines and will lose quality quickly. Light coloured red wines, such as Zinfandel, Grenache, Beaujolais, and most rosés lose their flavour and aromas once opened, so please bear this in mind when choosing a light coloured red wine.