Wednesday Wine 101
Q
“How long will a wine last once it’s opened?”
– Tanya, a participant in a recent bridal shower wine tasting
A
Well Tanya, that all depends on the wine, as frustrating an answer as that is.
Wines deteriorate at varying speeds once they come into contact with the air, and everyone’s tolerance of this oxidation process is different, too. That’s why our grandma used to be able to keep a magnum of French Cross Chardonnay beside her rocking chair, so she could easily take a nip here and there while knitting or watching TV, and was unaffected by the wine’s condition, whereas we could decline a glass as we found the Chard less than optimal.
To maximize the lifespan of your opened bottle, recork it (if the cork doesn’t fit, cling wrap is just fine), and put it in the fridge, no matter if it’s white or red. This will buy you a few extra days, maybe even a week, as cold temperatures slow the deterioration process. In our opinion, if you still haven’t consumed your bottle after 7 days, leave it in the fridge, but use it for cooking.
If you have an open bottle of wine… just drink it!
Also, if its a cap and not a cork, does the cap do as well of a job as cling wrap? What about if I have a store bought stopper, does that work just the same too?
Thanks!
Hi Jamie,
Great question! Yes, if the wine has a scrw cap, just screw it back on and you’re good to go.
As for the store-bought stopper, you have to make sure it’s air-tight. Many just sit in the bottle and don’t sit snuggly in the opening. Look for stopper that have a rubber bumper to create a seal.
Thanks for the questions!
Cheers –
Erin & Courtney