Best way to keep opened wine bottle.

I wanna throw this out in the forum for suggestions.
If for some reason a bottle of wine is not finished, what would be
a good way to keep that wine?
Is there any difference between white vs red in how they keep once
opened?

All/any inputs would be appreciated.

Ed

 

red - nitrogen spray and cap. Wine stores sell the spray.

Never used the stuff...We just cap and finish the next day, or not then we throw away. Most of the time it's not an issue unless the wine sucks, then it's an easy decision. You'll notice a clear difference in the wine the next day no matter what you do.

Whites keep in the fridge for a few days no problem.

 

enjoy it to the last drop!

 

there are a couple of ways to do this. most wine will keep a couple of days in the fridge with the cap or cork tightly affixed, but it will still lose its complexity and freshness. There are a lot of variables including how long the wine was opened on the day you first drank it, age of the wine, varietal etc. The cheapest way to preserve a bottle for a few days is to buy a vacuum pump set. It comes with a couple of rubber stoppers with air vents. You are literally sucking the air out of the half empty wine bottle. These things are just a couple of bucks at most wine stores. Other options: buy half bottles. Don't laugh, but wine in boxes has improved quite a bit. The wine is vacuum bagged so stays fresh for a very long time. The high end boxed wines are good values. Boxed wines are much more popular outside the U.S. I buy the black box cab for my braises (recipes can call for up to 3 bottles of red) and I usally drink the rest whil cooking. In very good vintages (like 2007 in California) there is a glut of good quality fruit and the price gets driven down and the boxed wine quality goes up proportionally.

 

I second the vaccum pump. get one and cap it immediately. Once the wine has been areated, it starts to oxidize and there is nothing to stop that from happening, but removing the remaining air helps retard the process. also keep your Red in the frige as well.

BTW - storing your wine where the sun can hit it - even minutely - will dramatically age the wine ( not for the better) - keepit in the dark, on its side, and cool. ( 48F- 60F ) if possible.

 

How long are you looking to keep the wine?

For me a bottle of red wine will last about three days with the cork. I have one of those vacuum things (maybe mine is a crappy one) but I cannot really tell much difference between that and the cork within the three day period. The fruit is almost entirely gone the third day and depending on the wine you drink or your taste it may actually get better as it oxidizes.

I usually like a good Shiraz or Cab the second day better than the first day I open it.

 

A typical wine bottle seems to only hold enough wine for 4 or so good-size glasses of wine.

So, the most you can have left-over is 3 glasses worth.

My advice? Just go ahead and drink the remaining wine and don't try to store it.

 

Industry standard says a 750 ml bottle should serve 1 glass for 6 people... assuming you pour a 1/4 glass at a time. I've always been taught that the right air / wine ratio is 1/3 wine 2/3 air...

 

That is what I definitely would recommend myself. Enjoy it to the last drop and do not stop before you did so. Great someone here agrees with me on that one.
Every time I buy myself wine or get wine gifts by post from my mother (who doesn't live in the same city but knows my appreciation of good wine) my motto is always the same - once opened I enjoy it to the last drop over starting with a glass or two over dinner and then taking myself to either work or watch a movie drinking fabulous wine.

 

Sound like a good idea. Point well taken.

 

Noticed that and didn't know that. It even looks better that way ( 1/3 full ) than having a glass full of wine.
Ed

 

This

Maybe the question should be "why should I open this bottle of wine"?