How to Preserve Wine in an Open Bottle

Wine is pretty delicate once you've opened it. These suggestions will help you keep your wine fresh as long as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cannisters Of Preservative Gas
• Champagne Stoppers
• Wine Stoppers

1. Heat is the number one enemy of open wine, as it begins to oxidize. Keep wine in the refrigerator after opening to slow the oxidation process. Recorked wine should last two to three days in the refrigerator.
2. For longer storage, purchase a wine stopper and pump. You can find this invaluable contraption at any serious wine store, home kitchen supply store or on the shopping list.
3. Place the stopper in the top of the wine bottle and pump the air out using the pump. The stopper forms an airtight seal to keep air out indefinitely.
4. Buy a canister of preservative gas for another (though less effective) way to preserve open wine. Spray the gas into the wine bottle and then quickly place the cork back in the bottle. The gas forces the air out of the bottle.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that oxidized wine will not hurt you in any way; it just tastes funny. Oxidized wine is perfect for cooking, so certainly don't pour it out.