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There's a reason that wine has been the drink of choice for ages. It keeps well and remains safe to consume after many years. One of the oldest intact bottles of wine in the world is still allegedly drinkable.
Once you crack open a bottle of red wine, it's a different story entirely. An opened bottle kicks off a silent timer to when you'll need to dispose of it. Preserving wine for longer after opening is possible, but only in the right circumstances.
Knowing how to store opened red wine can ensure your unfinished bottles don't go to waste. In this guide, we'll discuss everything you need to know about how to store red wine after opening.
Viticulture is essentially chemistry at its heart. The fermentation process is a chemical reaction that converts pressed grape carbohydrates into ethanol.
This is why storing wine in a cool, dry, dark place is essential. Keeping it in an airtight bottle bars any bacteria and air that would kick off the spoiling process. Instead, controlled fermentation continues uninterrupted--further improving the wine.
Unfortunately, it's also a chemical reaction that causes red wine to go bad. That chemical reaction has a name you've probably heard: oxidation.
Oxidation begins when air comes into contact with the wine. Oxidation is the same process, actually, that leads metal to rust. It's an interaction with oxygen atoms that strips wine of electrons, changing the atomic structure.
Essentially, it's the conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde. Oxidation is an important process in making wine. But once wine has reached the proper chemical composition, it does more harm than good.
Oxidation can add new flavors--some of them good. Given enough time, though, it converts the wine into a foul-tasting vinegar-like liquid. At that point, it's no longer safe--or enjoyable--for consumption.
It's not just oxidation that presents a threat. Microbes and bacteria can also spoil wine.
During the production process, they are beneficial. Fermentation is just as much a bacterial reaction as a chemical one. But after opening a sealed wine, bacterial contamination becomes a net negative.
Of course, this alteration of consistency and flavor can make the wine better. This is only temporary, though. After a certain point, the wine simply goes bad.
It depends on a couple of factors. Most importantly, how you store it--which we'll discuss in greater detail later.
Different wines tend to have different shelflives. A bottle of sparkling wine may only last a day or two once you open it. Red wine or rosé, on the other hand, should last 3 to 6 days.
Perhaps you opened a bottle recently but forgot when. How can you tell if it is still safe--or ideal--to drink? The following are a few clear tells:
Other factors may have an effect. For example, leaving the wine bottle open all night during a party before sealing it. Hotter regional temperatures can also impact the composition.
Needless to say, do not try to salvage bad wine. Dispose of it, no exceptions. Expensive or not, it's not worth risking your health to save a few dollars.
Keep careful track of when you open a wine bottle, if you plan to keep it. This can spare you from accidentally singing your nose hairs with a taste test later on.
Knowing how to store wine after opening can make it last much longer. It can preserve the taste, too. Let's discuss the key components of how to store red wine.
Suppose you've got a nice Cabernet Sauvignon, but you don't finish. One of the easiest ways to preserve the wine is the simplest: capping the bottle. This keeps our air and bacteria, thus extending the wine's lifespan.
Learn how to re-insert a cork. Usually, you can tilt it into the bottle and use a sharp twist. Inserting at least a portion of the cork should be sufficient.
You can also try wrapping wax paper around the cork to slip it back in, if it's stubborn. If your wine has a twist cap, then your job will be much easier.
The easiest method for corked wine is to purchase a reusable wine stopper. Resealing is easy for all your future red wine.
Wine does best in cool, consistent temperatures. Fluctuations may affect a wine's quality, typically to its detriment.
If you want to know how to store wine without a cellar, purchase a wine cooler. Modern wine coolers use built-in temperature regulators to keep wine at the perfect temperature. Even if the power goes out, they have insulation.
If you do have a cellar, though, that's ideal. Wine cellars are how the most premium brands store their vintages. It's an age-old method still employed in world-renowned viticulture.
You will get a different number for that temperature depending on who you talk to. Generally speaking, though, anywhere between 65 and 55°F should do the trick.
Ever wondered why red wine has a tinted bottle? This is to protect the wine from light and UV rays. Otherwise, wine suffers from a "light strike."
Even without air or bacterial exposure, light can change the wine's composition. This occurs even with that special bottle tint.
Phenolic compounds, under UV rays, convert to sulfurous compounds. This results in an undesirable alteration to taste and smell.
Ideally, store wine in a dark place--a wine cellar, dim pantry, anywhere. If you do need lights, consider installing LEDs since they don't produce UV rays. Keep the lights somewhat dim, regardless.
You might think you know how to store a wine bottle. It's just like any other drink, right? Set it upright on the shelf and you are good to go.
This is true for screwtop wine bottles. It does not, however, apply to corked wine bottles.
Pay attention to how a wine cellar usually stores its bottles. They are always horizontal, in pigeonhole racks. This isn't just for storage efficiency.
The main reason is simple: the cork needs to stay moist. A dry cork signals the death knell for wine. Dry corks shrivel up, allowing air to pass through and promote the spoilage we mentioned earlier.
Humidity levels are also problematic for wine storage. This is for the same reason mentioned above: too little, and the cork dries out.
Conversely, high humidity presents an entirely different problem. Moist air creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. A moldy cork spoils wine and degrades.
Excessive humidity can also damage wine labels over the course of time. Long story short, keep it around 60%.
Admittedly, this is an expert tip. Most people do not need to concern themselves with humidity control--and a decent wine cooler can often regulate it.
If you want the best experience, you'll want to regulate the humidity with precision. Your favorite wine store does, after all.
Knowing how and where to store wine is a learning process. Don't stress out about getting it down pat from the beginning. Here are some additional tips that will improve your wine storage.
It may seem like a good idea to store wine in the fridge. After all, cold temperatures prevent bacterial growth. That's not the case here.
You can use your fridge to chill wine before drinking. It is not ideal for long-term storage.
You may inadvertently be storing your wine in a warm or hot place. For example, above the fridge. The heat from the condenser coils can spoil the wine.
Make sure not to store your wine in a place where it might get accidental heat exposure or temperature fluctuations.
It's a common misconception that all wine gets better with age. Some do, to be sure. But in most cases, it's best to drink wine within a few years of purchase.
Wine does best when it's sitting still, untouched. Frequent movement may speed up the chemical reactions that are happening inside the bottle. Reducing disturbances retains its great flavor and smell for longer.
Now you know how to store opened red wine. Remember: dark, cool, semi-humid temperatures are preferable. Make sure to cork it, and don't risk any wine you suspect has gone bad.
McKinney's wine store is your go-to source for everything wine related. Try some of our excellent wines, whether you are looking for red, white or rosé.