Proper storage and the right temperature are essential to maintaining the quality and flavour of your wine. Whether it’s a newly purchased or old bottle or one that has been opened. So, do you wanna make sure your bottles stay fresh and don’t spoil? Both closed and open? Follow these four tips:
1. Store in a cold, dark place at a consistent temperature and humidity
Wine is sensitive to temperature and light, so it’s important to store it in a cool, dark place. Keep your wine away from direct sunlight or any source of heat, such as a radiator or oven. Ideally, the temperature should be between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should be around 70%. You can use the refrigerator but a wine cooler is often better for the long term. It will have a consistent temperature and humidity level, which allows your wine to age properly.
2. Cork it after opening the bottle if you don’t plan to finish
If you open a bottle of wine and don’t plan to drink it all in one evening, make sure to cork it properly. By doing so, you prevent the wine from oxidising and spoiling which ruins the taste. Use a cork or a wine stopper to seal the bottle tightly, and store it in the fridge – the sooner the better. An open bottle of wine can last for a few days to a week in the fridge, depending on the type of wine and how it’s been stored.
3. Store the wine upright in the fridge
When storing an open bottle of wine in the fridge, it’s best to store it upright instead of laying it on its side. This is because Storing wine on its side means the surface area exposed to oxygen increases. But with the upright position, you prevent the wine from leaking and air from entering the bottle, which can spoil the taste. Note that wine, once opened, cannot be kept for weeks or months; you should consume it within a few days.
4. Serve wine at the proper temperature
Serving wine at the right temperature is key to bringing out its best flavours. To achieve the right temperature, you can place a bottle of wine in the fridge for a few hours before serving. As a general rule, red wines should be served at room temperature (around 16-18 degrees Celsius), while white wines and sparkling wines should be served between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius. If your bottle is a bit too cold, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
For how long can you store open wine?
Whether you’re a wine collector with a large cellar or simply enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, proper storage is essential to enjoying your wine to the fullest. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your wine stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
But, don’t keep your open bottles in the fridge for too long. Most wines last open for only about 3–5 days before they start to go bad. Of course, this depends on the type of wine. And you will not get sick if you drink a bottle that has been open for too long. It is essentially just vinegar.
If you wanna make sure that the wine is put to good use, you can use the leftovers in your cooking – for example, a nice bolognese. Or if it has turned to vinegar, use it as a delicious salad dressing. Another alternative is to freeze leftover wine in ice-cube trays and keep it for cooking.
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