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Storing an open bottle properly
Once a bottle is open, oxygen starts changing the wine straight away. The simplest fix is a good stopper and the fridge, even for reds. Cold slows everything down, and you can let the glass warm up a little before you pour it.
A bottle in the fridge, properly stoppered, usually keeps well for two to three days.
How Long It Keeps
Sparkling wine is the exception here. Drink it within a day or it loses its fizz no matter what you do. Still wines are more forgiving and can last a few days if kept cold and sealed properly.
The fridge is not just for white wine. A chilled red, resealed properly, will taste better tomorrow than one left open on the counter overnight.
Vacuum pumps and wine preservers can help but they are not essential. A simple cork pushed back in, with the bottle standing upright in the fridge, does the job for most home drinkers. Just check the seal is snug before you put it away.
Keep It Upright
Stand an open bottle up in the fridge rather than lying it down. It is less likely to spill and the cork sits snugger against the neck that way.
Avoid The Fridge Door
The door is the warmest, most unstable part of any fridge, with the temperature swinging every time it opens. Store open bottles further back on a shelf instead. It makes a real difference over a few days.
Sunlight and heat are the real enemies of an open bottle, more so than oxygen alone. Keep it dark and keep it cool, and most wines will hold their character for several days. If it starts smelling flat or odd, it's probably time to let it go.
