As we grow older, our appreciation for the finer things in life only expands. For many of us, this includes enjoying a good bottle of wine, either on a quiet night at home or at a delightful gathering with friends. At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that while we may not all be connoisseurs, we never shy away from enhancing our knowledge about the pleasures of wine.

When it comes to partially consumed bottles, we all want to preserve the lovely flavours and aromas for the next day. It turns out there's a surprising insider tip that all sommeliers are eager for us to know. This trick can save on cork mishaps and may even elevate our next wine experience.

Unveiling the sommelier's wisdom: the compelling reason to refrain from reinserting the cork into a bottle of wine. Source: @confidenceuncorked/Tiktok

Warner Boin, a highly regarded sommelier, recently revealed a wine storage mistake that many of us make without realising—re-corking a half-empty bottle. We may think we're offering the best protection for our precious vino, but, in reality, we're unwittingly doing more harm than good.

Boin explained the problem: 'If you were to put the cork back in a bottle of wine that's half empty, you'll see the oxygen and corks are porous.' Because of its porous nature, the cork allows more oxygen to seep back into the bottle, which can ultimately deteriorate the wine's carefully balanced, complex flavours.

The good news is that there's a simple solution, as Boin shared: 'What you really want to do is reduce the oxygen to wine ratio.' She recommends transferring the remaining wine to an airtight container, such as a mason jar, to wine ratio. 'I recommend a mason jar. All you have to do is take whatever wine you have left over and pour it into the mason jar—or any kind of airtight container.' In dire times, she has also repurposed clean kombucha bottles to save the day.

Check out the video here:

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Sealing the container will protect the wine from excessive oxygen exposure, maintaining its freshness and taste. The trick has amassed considerable attention, with the video reaching over 2.5 million views and numerous grateful wine enthusiasts thanking Warner for her guidance.

'This is the mason jar meal prep content I've been waiting for,' commented one relieved viewer, while another joked, 'Leftover wine. I've read about it but never experienced it. I thought it was an urban myth!'

Why Proper Wine Storage is Necessary​

Properly storing your bottle of wine is incredibly important for ensuring that the beverage maintains its quality and flavour. Without proper storage conditions, the wine can oxidise and become spoiled, resulting in unpleasant flavours and aromas.

Oxygen is the main culprit when it comes to spoiling wine, as it can cause the wine to become bitter, tart, or flat in taste. Not to mention that it can ruin the complexity and richness of the flavours available in a good quality bottle. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure that wine is kept at the appropriate temperature so that any cork closures remain intact and the flavours of the wine are not ruined.

There are several storage methods that can be used in order to ensure that your bottle of wine is properly taken care of. One of the simplest methods is to store your wine in a mason jar or other airtight container and place it in the fridge or wine cellar.

This will help to keep the flavours of the wine better for longer while also preventing oxygen from getting in. It is also important to ensure that the storage area is away from direct sunlight, as this can cause the temperature to rise and ruin the wine. With a few simple steps, you can ensure that your bottle of wine remains delicious for many bottles to come!

Key Takeaways

• A sommelier has revealed that wine drinkers should never put a cork back on an unfinished bottle of wine, as the porous nature of corks can allow more oxygen to flow through, potentially harming the wine's complex flavours.
• Warner Boin, the sommelier, recommends using an airtight container such as a mason jar to store leftover wine, as this helps reduce the oxygen-to-wine ratio.
• The video in which Warner shares this tip has received over 2.5 million views and numerous positive comments from social media users.
• This storage method keeps the wine fresh for a few days after initially opening the bottle, making it a practical solution for wine lovers.

So, the next time you find yourself with leftover wine (if such a thing indeed exists!), remember to skip the cork and reach for an airtight container or jar instead. You'll be surprised at the difference it can make and eagerly share this piece of insider wisdom with fellow wine-loving friends! Cheers!

 

[SusanCarson]

Actually, I really love homemade wine.

 

[Wandiwa]

Can some-one please explain the term " left over wine" ?

 

[Jennie]

Can some-one please explain the term " left over wine" ?

Not sure what it means. Our wine bottles get emptied not long after taking the cork out, always thought you had to drink it all.

 

[KaraJenna]

Very few wines have corks these days in Australia unless you are drinking imported wine and not our excellent Aussie ones!

 

[ukebrain]

It’s not just about keeping it cold or cool; it’s about making sure the temperature doesn’t fluctuate a lot. Even small changes can cause the wine to age faster or ruin the taste.

I recently took a wine course in barcelona, and their tip was super eye-opening: the temperature at which you store wine is so important, but consistency matters. They recommend keeping wine in a spot with a steady, cool temperature—around 55°F (13°C) is perfect.

Investing in a wine fridge or a cellar with a stable environment can make all the difference if you're serious about your wine. It’s those little things that sommeliers know can make a bottle go from good to great!