As a wine lover, you probably enjoy a good glass of red wine with dinner, a cosy evening with friends or just for relaxation. But what do you do if you only want to drink one glass and keep the rest of the bottle? You'll find out here!
The eternity of wine
We've all experienced it: you open a bottle of red wine, drink a glass or two and forget about the rest of the bottle for a few days in the fridge. When you open the bottle again, you notice that the wine has turned sour. Disappointing... "Wasn't wine one of the most sustainable products one can consume?", we hear you thinking. That's right! When properly sealed, some high-quality wines can be kept for years. But as soon as the wine is opened, it is inevitably exposed to its worst enemy: oxygen. This causes the wine to oxidise, which in turn affects its flavour.
How long can you enjoy an opened bottle of wine?
Generally, an opened bottle of red wine will keep for three to five days. This applies to cheaper wines as well as more expensive, complex wines. It is important to note that the longer the wine is open, the faster its taste, aromas and colour can change. The exact length of time an opened bottle of wine stays good depends on several factors such as the quality of the wine, storage method and exposure to oxygen.
5 Tips for longer shelf life
Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to extend the life of your opened bottle of red wine. Whether you're a slow or fast drinker, with these handy tips you can make sure your wine doesn't turn into vinegar before you can drink it.
1. Store wine at the right temperature
Wine is best kept in a cool and dark place. After opening, it is best to store the wine in the fridge at a temperature between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius. The cooler temperature cannot prevent the wine from oxidising, but it can slow down the process considerably. However, it is important to note that you should not keep the wine in the fridge for too long, as this can affect the flavour and aroma.
2. Use a wine stopper
It can help somewhat to seal the wine back using the cork, but this mainly helps against dust and dirt. If you want to keep the wine longer after opening, it is better to use a wine stopper. A wine stopper is a small, usually reusable cap that fits on the opening of a wine bottle to seal the wine. There are different types available, including vacuum stoppers that pull air out of the bottle and caps with a special seal to seal the wine.
3. Store opened bottles of red wine upright
When a bottle lies down, the cork can come into contact with the wine, causing the cork to swell and break. This can lead to increased exposure to oxygen, which can cause the wine to oxidise and spoil.
4. Store wine in a dark place
When wine is exposed to light, it can change the chemical composition of the wine and negatively affect its taste and quality. So a dark cellar or a fridge are ideal storage places for opened red wine.
5. Pour the wine into a smaller bottle
Transferring the wine into a smaller bottle reduces the amount of air and better protects the wine from oxidation.
Et voilà , you now know everything you need to know about the shelf life of red wine. Just get out that half bottle you have left from last night and make it a pleasant evening!
Looking for a great bottle of red wine to enjoy? At Drankenshop Broekmans, you will find a large and diverse range of wines. Please note: the range of red wines in our shop in Zolder differs from our online offer.
Discover our red wines in the webshop >
Marketing • Blogger
As a creative jack-of-all-trades in the marketing world, I also bring that imaginative flair to my drink choices. Whether on a night out, sunny vacation or social gathering with girlfriends, I'm always in my element with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Cocktails have stolen my heart because of the endless possibilities to experiment and explore. My favorite cocktail of the moment is the "Lazy Red Cheeks"! A delicious cocktail using vodka as a base. I love vodka because it mixes perfectly with non-alcoholic drinks. My favorite spirit? Rum!
