Storing Open Wine

[Innkeeper]

OK, here's a simple and enjoyable system we've used for a long time. First go out and by a nice dessert wine in a 375 ml (half size) bottle; preferably one with a sturdy synthetic cork such as one used by Bonny Doon. Enjoy small glasses of the wine over the next several evenings. When finished wash out bottle and cork thoroughly, and store in a closed place where dust and germs don't gather.

The next time you want to save a half bottle, open the new one, fill the half bottle right up to the top, place the half bottle on a hard surface, and drive the cork in with a rubber mallet. If a little wine sloshes out, you know you have left no air in the bottle. Store in the refrigerator for a day or two and then drink it. In the meantime enjoy the rest of that bottle you just opened.