Counter or refrigerator? When it comes to storing open red wine, that's the question. If you're hoping to keep your best bottles in tip-top shape until the last sip, you'll want an answer, and we've got one from someone who knows. For those of us who view dry January as nothing more than a spectator sport, the information is just as useful now as it is during peak wine season.
No open wine lasts more than a week without being turned on, but if you learn the best way to store red, white and sparkling wine, you can extend the life of an open bottle by a few days.
To find out exactly what those ways are, I asked the wine educator Rachel Thralls for tips on storing open wine, including whether open red wine should be refrigerated or now.
To this question, Trallis tells us he says flatly, “Yes.” The cool temperatures of your refrigerator keep open wine fresher for longer, up to five days. Just make sure you let it come back to proper serving temperature before drinking.”
Here's how to store every type of open wine so you can savor every sip. For more, learn how to buy great wine on a budget or how to stop making these five mistakes when storing and serving wine.
How long does wine last and how to properly store it
Not long after the cork breaks, all the wine begins to spoil.
As soon as any bottle of wine is left open for more than the few hours it needs to breathe and decant, its quality begins to deteriorate. That's why it's crucial to take some steps to preserve its longevity if you want to finish off the remaining liquid before it essentially turns to vinegar.
According to Thralls, each type of wine requires different storage methods. Here's an overview of the most common.
Sparkling wine
Days will last in the fridge: 1-3
Sparkling wine has the shortest shelf life of any wine.
“Sparkling wines quickly lose their crown after opening,” emphasizes Thralls. “A traditional method sparkling wine like cava or champagne (which have more atmospheres of pressure, ie more bubbles) will last a bit longer than a tank method sparkling wine like prosecco.”
Invest in a cork (sparkling wine cork) for best results. If you're serious about preserving your champagne, Coravin makes a boogie preservation of sparkling wine a system that pumps carbon dioxide back into the bottle to extend its bubbly fridge life for weeks.
Light white, sweet white and rosé wines
Days will last in the fridge: 4-5
Light uncorked white wines can last up to five days if kept cold.
“Most light white and rosé wines can be drunk for up to a week when refrigerated with a cork,” advises Thralls. “You'll notice that the flavor will change subtly after the first day as the wine oxidizes.” The overall fruit character of the wine often diminishes, becoming less vibrant.”
A full-bodied white wine
Days will last in the fridge: 2-3
Fuller bodied whites tend to lose their speed a bit faster.
“Full-bodied white wines, such as oaked Chardonnay and Viognier, tend to oxidize faster because they see more oxygen during their aging process before bottling,” Thralls explains. “Make sure you always keep them corked and refrigerated.” If you drink a lot of this type of wine, it's a really smart idea to invest in vacuum caps.
Red wine
Days will last in the fridge: 3-5
Opened red wine should be refrigerated to preserve and removed about 10 minutes before serving.
“Red wines can be stored in a cool, dark place with a cork or in your wine fridge or freezer,” says Thralls. “The more tannins and acidity a red wine has, the longer it tends to last after opening.”
For example, a lower tannin wine like Pinot Noir will not last as long as a rich red like Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Some wines will even improve after the first day open,” adds Thralls. “If you don't have a wine fridge, your regular fridge is better than letting your wine sit in a 70 degree room. Just remove the red wine about 10 minutes before you want a glass to warm it up a bit. The red wine will also open in the glass.”
Tips for storing wine
How and where you store your wine is important, both before and after opening.
While the above guidelines are useful for any wine novice, Thralls suggests a few general rules to consider with every bottle opened.
1. Invest in a wine keeper. “They work very well to preserve the wine once it has been opened. You can use the cork and push it back or try (product as is) Pour outwhich removes the oxygen from the bottle.” Coravin wine systems are more expensive, but these high-tech units actually fill the bottle with argon gas, extending the life of red and white wine by up to a month.
2. Store any opened wine in the refrigerator. “Or a wine fridge, if you have one,” Thralls says. “This cooler will slow down any development of the wine, keeping it fresh.” The ideal temperature in a wine cellar or refrigerator is 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Store wine away from direct sunlight or heat sources. “This includes above the fridge or oven. It will 'cook' and destroy the aroma and taste.”
Ideal serving temperatures for serving wine
A hyperchiller can help you chill warm wine to the proper serving temperature.
Arguably wine temperature is a matter of personal preference, there are optimum temperatures that soms and wine professionals strive for.
In general, wine actually tastes better served slightly chilled, which is true for both white and red. This A $21 device it can chill hot wine (or any other liquid) in seconds.
“The same ideology of experiencing coffees, teas and sparkling waters at different temperatures applies to wine,” says Thralls, finding that the more delicate floral aromatics in fine wines can actually settle at temperatures that are too cool or burn off too quickly when the wine is too warm. .
“If you mostly drink reasonably priced wine, serving it slightly chilled will mask most of the 'off' aromas,” she shares. “Wine above 70 degrees Celsius will begin to smell more alcoholic due to the increased evaporation of ethanol that occurs as the temperature rises.”
Thralls notes that this is a good reason not to fill your wine glass to the brim. “A typical serving of wine is about 5 ounces, and a bottle of wine is just over 25 ounces, so you should get about five glasses of wine per bottle,” she explains. “The extra space in a typical wine glass is designed to hold the aromas when you turn and smell your wine, so try to save space.”
Ideal serving temperatures for every type of wine
Yes, there is an ideal temperature for serving any type of wine.
Champagne and sparkling wines
Available sparkling wines taste best served at 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. If you have a high-end, more expensive champagne or sparkling wine, serve at ideal light white wine temperatures, which are slightly warmer.
Light white wines and roses
Examples of light white wines are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. These wines are best served between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius, slightly cooler than heavier white wines. Rosé wines also taste best and maintain their crispness and acidity at these temperatures.
Heavy whites and light reds
Heavier white wines, such as Chardonnay, taste good at a variety of temperatures depending on one's personal preference, from 48 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The fruitiness of oak-aged whites also tends to taste better when served slightly warmer. Lighter red wines like Pinot Noir taste better on this cooler end of the spectrum.
Medium bodied reds
Medium-bodied reds, such as Merlot, are best served right around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is also the ideal temperature in the basement. You can take your bottle right from your cellar and pour a glass. Keep in mind that wines tend to warm up in the glass as well.
Full bodied and old reds
Full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel are best served between 59 and 68 degrees Celsius. But isn't that too cold for red wine? The wine will taste much better chilled and, as Thrall mentioned, the glass will warm the wine as well.
No matter how you spin it, good wine is what doesn't end up down the drain. If you have to throw out and savor the rest of your bottle for future drinking pleasure, consider all of these tips and you'll never waste money (and precious alcohol) again. Cheers.