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Leftover Wine Isn’t A-Throw-Away Thing

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • July 28, 2011

Wines are supposed to be consumed once opened. The spirit, as many wine connoisseurs and lovers would say, leaves the wine as soon as the cork is off the lid. Majority of regular drinkers finds satisfaction to wind up the day with a glass of wine. Moderate drinking, in this sense, also means storing leftover wine to finish the day after. You cannot just throw it away. Storing it takes a little conscious effort to seal the flavor and zest in the bottle, good for another evening round. Whether you have red or white wine or the fortified wine, you can get another satisfying glass with it as long as it is consumed within a few days. The quality of wine deteriorates in a short period. Stale wine is never a good wine to cap the night. Seal the freshness, flavor, texture and aroma with simple saving steps and enjoy your wine.

When you open your bottle of wine, be quick in pouring out the quantity you would want to take and immediately seal the bottle with the cork. The cork plays a very important role in preserving the character of the wine. It eliminates, if not reduces, the entry of air into the bottle that can damage the quality of the wine. Let the bottle lie on its side, not upright. This position will keep the cork moist and airtight. Leftover wine should be stored in a cool and darker place, away from sunlight. Air and sunlight are the biggest risks to the quality, aroma and flavor of wines. So, keep them away from these elements.

Once a bottle of wine is opened, it is exposed to air which causes the degradation of the wine. This is very applicable to old wines which, when opened, becomes oxygenated and lose its character. For this type of wine, decanters are not encouraged. Wine decanting is the process of transferring wine to another container for aeration. This process allows it to breathe and soften some elements such as tannins and to develop the bouquet. However, decanting older wines is not advisable.

Refrigeration helps in preserving the character of the wine and keeping much of its spirit sealed in. Wine is a volatile drink and therefore should not be stored long. A good three to five days is alright. Refrigerating it will only retard or inhibit chemical reactions and development of bacteria that is harmful to wine. Refrigerating leftover wine also lessens oxygenation, thus the flavor and freshness are sealed.

Leftover Wine Isn’t A-Throw-Away ThingStorage is also a big factor to keep the freshness of the wine sealed in. If you have the habit of accumulating wines, having a place to store leftover wine becomes a necessity. It doesn’t have to be an expensive bin. An old closet can be converted for the purpose. Just bear in mind that there are basic conditions to go with storage. Humidity must be around 70 to 80 percent while temperature must be about 55 degrees. Again, keep your wines away from sunlight.

Wines are never harmful to the body when taken in moderation. Leftover wines can still be your company for an evening to unwind and relax. Keep your leftover wine in good condition and get to enjoy a heady drink just like it has been freshly opened.

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