Fridge after opening? Or back to cellar?

[wdonovan]

Subject line pretty much asks? After opening a bottle, does it need to be refrigerated @ roughly 40F or is a return to my 58F cellar a better bet? Open wines can sit 2 days, rarely more. I have issues in refrigerating an open bottle, then restoring it to drinking temperature. We drinks mostly reds and that's what this question is aimed at. I don't have any issues with whites. They can stay in the fridge.

[Thraz]

I find I get the best results by pouring half the bottle (or whatever I will drink this night) into a decanter or a carafe, then immediately pumping the air out of the bottle (with a plastic pump and the rubber enclosure that goes with it, I don't use the gas thing) and putting it in the fridge. I can then pour from the carafe for dinner. I have also heard about people successfully freezing red wine but I have never had the heart to try. I will be interested in what comes out of this thread.

[Innkeeper]

Best method is to have a spare half (375mm) bottle, and a quality stopper. Whan not drinking a full bottle, fill the half bottle to top, and insert stopper. Put bottle into fridge until needed (within a week at most). This requires warming up reds, but is most effective.

You can put it back into your cellar, but don't count on more than a day or two.

[Thraz]

Innkeeper, your post made me hit my forehead with the palm of my hand. I will use the 375ml trick from now on.

[Salesmanlqr2]

what a great answer innkeeper

[wineguruchgo]

I'm a huge fan of Wine Preserve spray. You should be able to get it in any wine store (not supermarket). When you are done drinking just spray it 3-4 times then put the cork back in it.

What this does is force all of the air out of the bottle and puts a layer of nitrogen on the wine so it won't spoil. You will get a few days out of the bottle. Not weeks.

The can will feel empty because nitrogen is so light. But I think the can should last you a year or so. Definately worth the $8-10.00 you will pay for it.

That's my $.02

[willp58]

Best solution?
Drink the whole bottle!

[winoweenie]

I'll drink wif the Willip man. By-the-by Wine Preserve, which I've touted for over 5 years is a combination of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon. The only sure-fire preserve unless you use IKs' method. WW