It often happens that you open a bottle of wine and don't finish it during the meal. The question then arises of how to optimally preserve the wine until the next occasion. As you know, air is the main cause of wine degradation, and to preserve it, you need to combat this oxidation process. Here are some solutions to slow down this process and keep your wines longer:
The "air vacuum" pump The principle is very simple: it involves extracting the oxygen from the bottle using a pump and a rubber stopper equipped with a valve that lets the air out but doesn’t let it back in. This system will allow you to preserve bottles that are more than half full. The downside is a loss of aromas.
Available online at Vinokado.
An "air vacuum" corkscrew With the top part of the corkscrew and the two included stoppers, you can extract the oxygen from your opened bottles to delay the oxidation of the wine and preserve its qualities for much longer. The stoppers have a dated ring to remind you of the day you opened your wine bottle.
Find the corkscrew at Climadiff.
The PRESERVIN Today's technological advancements have made it possible to combine a wine storage fridge with a wine preservation system. This fridge is equipped with a vacuum pump that allows you to preserve up to 3 opened bottles of wine. It’s very easy to use: simply connect the stopper to the pump's hose and press the "air vacuum" button on the control panel. The operation takes about 1 minute per bottle.
Available at La Sommelière’s online store.
Decanting This is undoubtedly the most economical solution as it simply involves transferring the remaining wine into a smaller container to limit the amount of air present. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find the smallest volume at home.
Exceptions to the rule
Sweet wines can be kept for several days without any issues, as long as they are recorked and stored in a cool place. The sweeter the wine, the longer it can be preserved because sugar acts as a natural preservative. High-quality champagnes can be kept for two to three days in the fridge.
If you don't use these solutions, here are some basic tips: recork your bottle with the original stopper and place it in the refrigerator, in a room not exceeding 15°C, or ideally in your wine cellar. A cool place will allow you to very slightly slow down oxidation. Make sure your bottle is not near a heat source and is not exposed to direct sunlight.