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    JoeCanada76's Avatar
    JoeCanada76 Posts: 6,669, Reputation: 1707
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    #1

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:26 AM
    Red wine storage
    Red wine. Some people after opening it store it for long periods. I have opened a bottle of wine but there is no way I am going to drink it all at once. Some places say it stays good in the fridge for only 3 or 5 days. Then I here it is better to serve it at room temperature. My questions, how long can I store it at room temperature for? Can it last longer than what I have read on the net?

    Joe
    fredg's Avatar
    fredg Posts: 4,926, Reputation: 674
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    #2

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:35 AM
    Hi,
    From research on the web, (not from personal experience), from wine producers, here is the consensus for red wine:
    30 days in a refrigerator; 7 to 14 days room temperature.
    Red wine, just like some fruits, or other foods, tend to lose some of its' taste when refrigerated.
    JoeCanada76's Avatar
    JoeCanada76 Posts: 6,669, Reputation: 1707
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    #3

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:40 AM
    Thank you fred, Can you please let me know what websites you went to. Thank you.
    fredg's Avatar
    fredg Posts: 4,926, Reputation: 674
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    #4

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:44 AM
    Hi,
    Here is one of them:
    http://www.almaden.com/winebasics/servingwine.htm

    I'll try to find the others, but must go for now.
    JoeCanada76's Avatar
    JoeCanada76 Posts: 6,669, Reputation: 1707
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    #5

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:46 AM
    Thank you again, Tried rating but I need to spread reputation first.

    Thank you for such a quick response!

    Joe
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #6

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:48 AM
    I've always heard 3 days for Red Wine; Corked and in the fridge.

    RiversandsVineyards.com says 3 days in the fridge after opening.

    ehow says 2-3 days.

    wine.com says "a couple of days".

    avalonwine.com says "a day or two"

    I was running the search term
    red wine storage after opening

    ... very interesting that there would be such a difference of opinions out there...
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #7

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:50 AM
    PS; I do see that Almaden.com it says " Refrigerated wine in a bottle will retain its quality for about 30 days."... but does not specify Red Wine...
    Curlyben's Avatar
    Curlyben Posts: 18,514, Reputation: 1860
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    #8

    Mar 14, 2006, 08:58 AM
    OK its not really as simple as all that.
    There are a variety of factors that come into play here, namely;
    * Average room temperature
    * Temperature range
    * Amount of wine remaining in the bottle
    * Style of wine.

    Now a cooler room temp will enable the wine to be keep longer, room temp is considered to be 18C.
    Small Temperature range is better, plus or minus a couple of degress.
    The more air in the bottle the faster the wine will oxidise.
    Big heavy reds, like Ozzie Shiraz, are more forgiving than light, Gamay, stlyes.

    Now for the length of time to keep an open bottle.
    From experience, I would say MAX of a week if in a fridge and no more than 3 days if at room temp, unless it's a very cold room.
    After this time the wine starts to suffer from oxidisation and looses fruit and balance.
    All this assumes that all you are doing is just putting the cork back in the bottle to seal it.
    There are a number of "wine saving" stoppers on the market that remove excess air from the bottle in the hopes of keeping it fresher longer.
    One of the better ones is called Vacuvin. If one of these systems are used you may double the keeping times.

    Hope this sheds some light on your problem.
    vyki's Avatar
    vyki Posts: 65, Reputation: 5
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    #9

    Mar 14, 2006, 09:02 AM
    I've always found that red wine tastes vinegary after being open for more than a day or two. I suppose it depends on the quality of the wine in the first place (my homemade wine doesn't loose any quality if I leave it open for a couple of days lol)
    kp2171's Avatar
    kp2171 Posts: 5,318, Reputation: 1612
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    #10

    Mar 14, 2006, 09:25 AM
    A few days (say 3-5) at room temp is about all you can usually count on. As stated, when the temp is warmer, the time is shortened. I rarely keep a wine on the table that I want to drink again more than 3 days from opening.

    All red wines need to breathe before drinking, but there are a few "boring" reds that I actually prefer the second day in... usually find this with cheaper reds that just aren't well rounded. Might be drinkable but forgetful the first day, and better, but still not great, the second. Eventually the oxidation gets to be too much and its done.

    If you're going to use the wine for cooking toss it in the fridge. It'll keep longer. Likewise, as long as you're willing to let the wine warm in the glass for a bit, not problem keeping it in the fridge. Many places keep reds out in areas that are too hot, especially in the summer. You don't want your red at 82 degrees... especially on a hot summer day.

    You might also look at products that form a vacuum seal if you're opening pricey bottles that oxidize too much before you can finish. A friend of mine bought one and loves it... says it can really extend the life of the bottle.

    I have not used these so I cannot say. Do a search for wine vacuum sealer and you'll get some hits.
    JoeCanada76's Avatar
    JoeCanada76 Posts: 6,669, Reputation: 1707
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    #11

    Mar 14, 2006, 10:27 AM
    Well I have had my red wine out since Saturday. I just put it in the fridge today and I plan on drinking the rest of it, but I have heard of some people storing it a lot longer with it already being opened and serving it. Guess it won't kill you.

    Joe
    kp2171's Avatar
    kp2171 Posts: 5,318, Reputation: 1612
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    #12

    Mar 14, 2006, 11:25 AM
    No... won't kill you... but I've never come back to a bottle left at room temp for a week and found it drinkable, or at least likable. Take a taste of the wine now and see if you can notice a difference from when you opened it. As I said, some oxidation is good.

    The alcohol content gets oxidized to acetic acid, which is the biting, characteristic smell and taste of vinegar. So unless you like to drink vinegar, the suggestions above are the way to go.
    JoeCanada76's Avatar
    JoeCanada76 Posts: 6,669, Reputation: 1707
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    #13

    Mar 14, 2006, 11:28 AM
    WOO HOO, LETS ALL DRINK VINEGAR TOGETHER. YUMMY, YUMMY. CHUG CHUG CHUG.

    Well I put it in the fridge. It does not taste exactly the same but it still tastes drinkable.

    Joe
    Zipper's Avatar
    Zipper Posts: 116, Reputation: 8
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    #14

    Mar 17, 2006, 05:46 PM
    We also use a VacuVin pump and stoppers. They are very effective, the stopper is a rubber/plastic moulding with a one way valve built in, the pump sits on top, a few strokes and you can feel the resistance as the vacuum forms.
    It certainly extends storage times.
    Incidentally the VacuVin company also produce a range of storage jars with the vacuum stopper, good for left-overs!
    Jonegy's Avatar
    Jonegy Posts: 166, Reputation: 37
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    #15

    Mar 18, 2006, 01:25 PM
    Storing opened wine (especially red) has never been a problem I personally came across.

    Therefore I looked at the problem from a different direction...

    The average measure of my wine glasses (filled to roughly a half inch or 1cm from the top) is 100 cl. The normal measure of wine bottles is 750 cl. - therefore about 7 servings. - between 2 people during a meal - three and a half glasses each.

    Conclusion ;)

    a) If the wine is so unpalatable that there is any left over - use it for cooking !

    b) (If only a light drinker) - buy a half bottle

    c) Try a different grape / country of origin next time. (Great fun - educational - and my perso- personab- personerabubble wreck o' mendayshun)

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