How to optimize the preservation of red wine after opening?

Too many bottles of red wine opened during the holidays? Do you have several nearly full bottles that you don't want to waste and want to keep? It's perfectly possible to store an opened bottle of red wine. Here are our tips for optimizing the storage of red wine after opening.

You can also read our article on wine racks for storing and preserving wines .

Closing after tasting

Private individuals have just as much opportunity to store opened red wine as professionals. The first rule is to reseal the bottle immediately after serving . The goal is to limit the wine's oxidation by preventing it from coming into contact with air. It is therefore essential to tightly close the bottle after each serving. To do this, you can reuse the original cork . If it no longer fits properly, try turning it upside down.

If necessary, have a spare cork on hand. This sealing step is crucial to prevent the flavors of your red wine from quickly deteriorating, especially if you intend to store it.

Refrigeration

If you're a regular wine drinker, refrigerating red wine can be a temporary solution for preserving it. This protects the wine from heat and temperature fluctuations. Ideally, the refrigerator temperature should be set to 15°C (59°F) . For each tasting, professionals recommend taking the red wine out a few hours before serving so it can reach its normal temperature.

Unfortunately, this solution cannot exceed 5 days, depending on the wine's quality and composition. Beyond this time, the wine may develop a sour taste. Young wines are better suited to refrigeration. Note that red wine keeps better than white wine.

Wine storage conditions

If you only drink wine occasionally, you should consider a suitable place to store your red wine bottles. Wine cabinets, wine cellars, or wine racks are particularly good options. To best preserve the quality of your wine, certain conditions must be met.

1. Darkness

Light is the primary enemy of red wines due to its color. After each tasting, it is essential to place the wine near light sources to avoid altering its quality. Avoid placing it in an area illuminated by daylight and sunlight, and instead opt for a dark, unlit room. Choose a cupboard , a crate , a cellar , or a cabinet instead .

2. The temperature

Keeping your opened red wine cool will help preserve its quality. Near a heat source, it can quickly oxidize and become unrecognizable. Similarly, temperature fluctuations should be avoided to prevent oxidation. Therefore, ensure your wine is kept below 15°C (59°F), even if it's not in the refrigerator.

3. Humidity

While humidity is a factor for unopened wines, it can also play a crucial role in the optimal preservation of red wine once it has been opened. A suitable humidity level for wines is between 55% and 70%.

Limit the oxidation of wine

This is the primary condition for preserving opened wines. Indeed, upon contact with air, wine begins to oxidize and lose its initial flavors. The goal is therefore to minimize this contact with air by resealing the bottle after each serving. It's also important to know that the presence of air in the bottle can trigger the oxidation process. Therefore, the more red wine you've consumed, the faster the remaining wine will spoil.

Several options are available to you:

• Transfer the remaining wine into a smaller bottle to limit the amount of air involved.
• Use a vacuum pump to remove air from the bottle ( VacuVin ),
• Adding a neutral gas such as food-grade nitrogen to prevent air from entering,
• Do not open the bottle and use a system to pierce the cork and extract the wine ( Coravin ).
• Add glass marbles inside the bottle to raise the level.

You'll also love reading our article on preserving wine with sediment in the bottle .