How do you keep open wine?

[jig1999]

When I have dinner I like to have a bottle of red or white wine. Most of the time I don't finish the bottle. A couple of days will pass until I get around to that open bottle. I don't like to taste of the couple days old open bottle. How do you keep the wine from changing its taste?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Jig, and welcome to the Wine Board. Oxygen is the culprit. Every effort must be taken to keep air away from the wine. Recorking is essential. Putting it in a smaller bottle before recorking is an inexpensive way to go. Some folks like the Vac-U-Pump. Others go for expensive systems that replace the air in the bottle with nitrogen. Take your pick.

Once recorked, put white wine in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Red wine can be kept either on the counter or in the fridge. If in the cooler, take it out and let it warm up to around 65 degress before serving.

Not talking long periods of time here. Even under ideal condtions a week is the most you can hope for.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 10-25-2002).]