How long will this last? What is the life expectancy of red wine? Is it even possible for me to store opened red wine?
These are the kinds of questions that every wine lover has had to ask themselves at some point in their lives. It was ordering and saving for me. Now I buy wine online and store it well with some exceptional tips. Knowing how to properly store opened wine bottles is almost as important as knowing how to serve the wine.
Nothing is more vexing than pouring a glass of your favorite varietal, taking your first sip, and getting that awful vinegar flavor that oxidized wine is notorious for.
So, how long does wine keep once it’s been opened? The straightforward answer is that red takes 3-5 days and white takes 5-7 days. Everything, however, is dependent on how well the wine is stored before and after the bottle is opened, which is where we come in. We have simple storage tips for unopened wine bottles, as well as tips for storing opened wine bottles and a method to keep your wine tasting great until the very last drop.
Top Tips
Tip 1 – Don’t be a knucklehead
So how does it expire?
The solution is oxygen, or “the oxidation effect,” as it’s more frequently known in the wine world. The death of a wonderful bottle of wine is the most crucial factor for the human body. After pouring the first round of wine, the simplest and most straightforward approach for preserving wine is to immediately re-cork the bottle. The less air that comes into contact with the wine, the better.
What about decanters? Oxidation!
That is a fantastic question! Some wine connoisseurs argue that air is good for wine because it allows the scent to fully develop. True! Decanters are a nice accessory to have when sharing a bottle of wine with a group; but in this case, you can expect to finish the bottle the same day. Wine should never be stored in decanters for extended periods of time. If the wine isn’t going straight into your glass, keep it out of the open air as much as possible.
Decant wine before drinking it.
Investing in a few half-sized wine bottles is the ideal solution in this situation. When corked, half-bottles, which are easily available online, have less loose oxygen flowing around, extending the life of your wine. So go ahead and decant the amount of wine you want to drink that night, pour the rest into a half-bottle, cork it, and save the rest for the next night.
Tip 2 – Keep It Cool
Almost every wine connoisseur understands that red and white wines should be served at different temperatures. You can do it too if you know how to be a wine connoisseur. What they may not realize is that red wine is frequently served too warm, whereas white wine is frequently chilled too cold.
Why does temperature matter so much?
Temperature control is just as important as oxygen control in maintaining the flavors and aromas of your wine. Wines that are fruity and high in acidity, such as most white and light-bodied wines, thrive at cooler temperatures and will taste dull if served too warm. Meanwhile, tannins found in full-bodied red varietals taste much better at higher temperatures. However, you don’t want your red wine to be too warm, or the tannins will change from pleasantly bitter to simply alcoholic.
Temperature control
Temperature is vital for the quality of your wine, but it’s also important for the quality of your food and wine pairings.
Sunlight, while beautiful and ideal for a summer tan, is extremely damaging to the flavor profile of any wine. Have you ever noticed that the majority of wine comes in glass bottles that are various shades of green and amber? This is done to protect the wine from the sun’s UV rays while also maintaining quality control. However, the colored glass, like alcohol, is a crutch, not a solution, and you must still have some strategy when deciding where to store your opened bottles of wine.
Wine in low light, good for another night. A bottle of wine in the sun, and it’s finished.
Tip 3: Try Gadgets
If you have more than a few things going on in your life right now, such as a career, a family, or a dog, constant vigilance of the amount of oxygen or sunlight touching your opened wine bottles may be too much for you to handle. That’s understandable, and in the twenty-first century, this is a problem that can be easily solved with a few gadgets.
Inert gas?
Like helium and neon?
Both yes and no. Inert gases are non-toxic noble gases, such as helium and neon that exhibit no chemical reactions when released under specific conditions. In the case of wine preservation, the inert gas we’re talking about is argon (AR), which is denser/heavier than oxygen and can thus act as a protective layer, preventing oxygen from interacting with your wine.
That sounds excellent but isn’t it expensive?
If buying an expensive wine tool right now isn’t an option, you can look into a much cheaper version of argon gas preservation. After you’ve opened the wine and poured the first round, there are several versions of an inexpensive can containing natural argon gas.
Any other way?
Consider a one-time purchase of a stainless steel vacuum pump, which usually comes with a couple of wine stoppers. The vacuum pump literally removes the oxygen from the wine bottle, and the included wine stopper should provide an airtight seal.
Power to save Wine
Making quality wine is a complex process that requires care and attention, so preserving an opened bottle of wine should come as no surprise. Fortunately, today’s wine industry is happy to accommodate the world’s wine enthusiasts with simple products that safely preserve your wine while giving you the time you need to enjoy your favorite varietal at your own pace.