Preserving Wine | How to Save the Unfinished Bottle of Wine

There are several strategies for saving and preserving and unfinished bottle of wine. Once you open a bottle of wine, air begins to act on the wine. At first, it is a good thing because it allows the aromas of the wine to work. Some call it letting the wine breathe. With time, a day or two, air becomes wine’s worst enemy. If one is unable to finish a bottle of wine, you can use these various devices and strategies to preserve the wine as long as possible.

Pek Wine Steward

The Pek Wine Steward is a new product for the consumer and professional. It is available in two models: The Supremo, with both wine preservation and temperature management capabilities; and the Preservo, for highly effective wine preservation without advanced temperature management . For more information: Peksystems

Vacuum Pump and Cork

With this device, you plug the wine with a special rubber stopper. A pump is placed over the rubber stopper and then you pump to remove the air out of the bottle. The Wine Spectator in a previous issue had a negative review of this wine preserving process.

Using Inert Gas - "Private Preserve"

"Private Preserve" is the brand name for this device. This is a small container containing an inert gas that you squirt into the bottle. This puts a layer of gas between the cork and the wine. This has been a long-time favorite of many wine lovers.

The Refrigerator

Put the wine, red or white, into the refrigerator as soon as possible. This slows the oxidation process. Drink the wine within a few days.

Other Strategies

Fill the remaining wine completely into a smaller bottle and refrigerate.
Freeze the wine and use for cooking when needed.

For Champagne/sparkling wine, use one of the many clamp devices made for Champagne bottles and refrigerate.