Before Opening
| Wine to be consumed within a few weeks |
Keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and
vibration. It is best to store wine on its side, this will keep the
cork moist and prevent air from penetrating into the bottle. Chill
white and sparkling wines just before serving rather than storing
them in the refrigerator. |
| Wine to be consumed at a later date or purchased
specifically for ageing |
Keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct
sunlight and vibration. It is best to store wine on its side, this
will keep the cork moist and prevent air from penetrating into the
bottle.
Storage conditions that must be kept constant are temperature (approximately
55º F) and humidity (70-80%). To achieve this, you will need
a special unit designed for wine storage or you may need to convert
a closet or basement storage area into a wine cellar.
|
Leftover Wine
The key to preserving leftover wine is to prevent exposure to air. Air
causes wine to age and the wine will oxidize and lose its freshness.
There are devices available on the market that will help to purge the
bottle of oxygen. Canisters of nitrogen can be sprayed into the bottle
before re-corking to displace oxygen. Another device pumps air from the
bottle and seals it with a rubber gasket. These devices help to preserve
the wine longer than simply re-corking the bottle and storing them in
the refrigerator.
| Tip: Transfer leftover wine to a smaller bottle to lessen
exposure to air. |
|
A re-corked leftover bottle of red or white wine
|
Can be stored 3-5 days in the refrigerator without
affecting the flavor. Remove red wine from the refrigerator and
allow it to reach room temperature before drinking.
Red wine that is not stored in the refrigerator, but
is re-corked tightly, should retain its freshness for approximately
2 days (or 48 hours).
|
|
A re-corked leftover bottle of sparkling wine
(champagne)
|
Will remain fresh when stored in a refrigerator for
3-5 days.
|
| Tip: If you have misplaced or thrown away the cork, place
a piece of plastic wrap over the bottle opening and secure with a
rubber band. |
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