We often find ourselves with an open bottle of wine that we haven't finished, leaving the remaining wine to be consumed the next day. But can an opened bottle of wine actually be kept until the next day or even longer? What can be done to maintain the freshness and flavor of the wine? Below, I'll share a few methods with you.
1. Refrigeration. When handling an opened bottle of wine, it's crucial to avoid excessive exposure to oxygen. In fact, just like other food, wine can be stored in the refrigerator. In a low-temperature environment, wine is less likely to undergo chemical reactions and is not easily oxidized. Furthermore, low temperatures can inhibit the activity of acetic acid bacteria, thus effectively preventing the wine from turning into vinegar.
2. Decanting into a smaller bottle. For a standard 750ml bottle of wine, if half of it has been consumed, the best storage method is to find a 375ml wine bottle, pour the remaining wine into it, re-cork it with a cork, and then place it in the refrigerator. This is because it's difficult for air to get into a full bottle of wine, so this method better prevents the wine from coming into contact with oxygen. However, it's important to note that the smaller bottle must be thoroughly cleaned before use to avoid contaminating the wine.
3. Vacuum sealing. To further prevent leftover wine from oxidizing, you can consider using a vacuum pump. A specially designed vacuum pump comes with a rubber stopper and a suction tube. Simply insert it into the bottle and press gently to remove the air from inside. Vacuum pumps are very practical and relatively inexpensive, and can be found in many large supermarkets. Of course, the vacuum-sealed wine still needs to be stored in the refrigerator to ensure its freshness.
Special cases requiring special handling. Storing leftover sparkling wine is an exception. For leftover sparkling wine, using a vacuum pump is not only ineffective but will also remove the bubbles from the wine, affecting its flavor. In fact, many people actually prefer to let sparkling wine sit for a day before drinking it again, as this allows the bubbles to settle, reducing carbonation and making the wine taste purer and richer.