People often delay opening that great bottle of wine for fear
that they will let part of the bottle go to waste. It is not uncommon
that a bottle of wine is half consumed in one setting and then placed
back on the shelf for several days before the opportunity arises again.
Let's ensure that wine lasts until that next occasion. There are several
wine preservation systems that will keep that wine drinkable for the
duration.

Decanters can be a way to preserve wine after it has been uncorked.
After opening a bottle and pouring out the amount desired into glasses,

pour the remainder of the wine in small decanters and cork them. This
allows less space for air to take up. There is one small problem though.
Half decanters can become expensive when used in excess.

One preservation system is found in a light container that feels empty
when you pick it up off of the shelf. It is often labeled as Private
Preserve. Basically, it is pure air without oxygen in a bottle. The
theory is that if you spray the inert gases in the bottle of wine before
you re-cork it, most if not all of the oxygen will vacate from the bottle
allowing your wine to keep itself fresh and safe from that harmful
enemy, oxygen. This system is great, if you have the patience to keep
pouring carbon dioxide into your bottle every time you open it.

Another preservation system pumps Argon gas through a special adapter
and cork to prevent new air from reaching the wine. This product is
typically referred to as Re Serve. It is an easy, no muscle required way
to preserve your wines for a least a week.

Yet another wine preservation system is a reverse air pump system.
Typically they are called wine savors or Vacuums. These products come
with special corks that seal the bottle tightly. They also include a
handy, easy to use pump that sucks the air from the wine bottle through the
specialized cork. This leaves nothing but wine and space in the bottle.
These preservation systems can prolong left over wine for an average
of two weeks for white wines, if refrigerated, and one to one and a half
weeks for red wine, stored at room temperature.

No matter what preservation system is used, wine will never taste
exactly the same as what it did when opened. If the wine is red, this is
typically a great thing. Red wines need oxygen introduced into them so
that they can fully open up and emit all of their wonderful flavors and
aromas. Red wines also store better in a room temperature setting,
anywhere from fifty six to seventy six degrees, after opening. Whereas white
wines are better stored in a cooler, anywhere from thirty five to
forty eight degrees, after opening.

Learn more about this author, Nautica Mourey.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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