| The moment you pull that cork, wine comes in | | | | 3. A third alternative is to pump out the air in the |
| contact with air. And once that happens, the | | | | bottle with a "wine pump." You can get a wine |
| oxidation process begins. If you're not planning on | | | | pump virtually anywhere these days, even in |
| consuming all the wine in one sitting, you need to | | | | stores such as Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and |
| know how to store the remaining wine so it won't | | | | Linens and Things. These pumps are fairly reliable, |
| go bad. | | | | but I've found they work best if you also stick |
| Oxidation is the chemical reaction that occurs | | | | the bottle in the refrigerator after pumping out |
| when oxygen comes in contact with wine. At | | | | the air (no pump can completely remove the air |
| first, oxidation is a good thing; it helps "open up" | | | | from the bottle). Otherwise, you'll still notice a |
| the wine, revealing different facets of its bouquet | | | | slight difference in taste the next day, and a |
| and aroma. However, after a couple of hours, | | | | more pronounced difference the following day and |
| further oxidation is a bad thing. It starts to | | | | beyond. |
| damage the wine and will eventually ruin it. | | | | 4. Use a wine preserver spray. This, by far, is the |
| Many of us have had the experience of leaving an | | | | most effective and dependable method of |
| unfinished bottle out all night without the cork | | | | keeping wine fresh. While these sprays cost about |
| back on. The difference in flavor and aroma the | | | | $10 a bottle, they are extremely reliable and |
| next day is striking and unmistakable. Even if | | | | effective. In my opinion, this is the only way to |
| re-corked the next day, the wine will usually taste | | | | store opened wine. The spray is actually a blend |
| flat, "raisiny," and unpleasant -- all a product of the | | | | of harmless inert gasses (gasses that don't react |
| oxidation process. | | | | with wine), which keep the wine from spoiling. |
| So how do you preserve an open bottle of wine | | | | Spraying the inside the bottle displaces the |
| when you don't want to (or can't) drink the whole | | | | oxygen already present and leaves a blanket of |
| thing in one sitting? There are only four reliable | | | | inert gas over the wine. The amazing thing is, the |
| methods of preserving the remaining wine, some | | | | gas will preserve the wine for days, even weeks! |
| more reliable than others: | | | | Try a can and see for yourself. Look for them at |
| 1. First, put the cork back on and put the wine in | | | | many local wine shops and online by searching for |
| the fridge. The oxidative process slows down | | | | brands such as "Private Preserve." |
| dramatically in cooler temperatures. This is a very | | | | What about wine that's already spoiled? Whatever |
| easy -- and a fairly reliable -- method when you | | | | you do, don't dump it down the drain. Instead, |
| don't have any other choices. Certainly much | | | | keep it in the fridge (with a cork on) for recipes |
| better than leaving an open bottle on the kitchen | | | | that call for a little wine. I always keep a bottle of |
| counter overnight. | | | | "spoiled" wine in the fridge for this purpose. And |
| 2. A second option is to transfer the remaining | | | | when a sauce calls for a little wine, I don't have to |
| wine to a half-bottle (375ml) and put it in the | | | | use the good stuff. |
| fridge. Doing this eliminates most of the air that | | | | Another idea is to pour it in ice trays and freeze |
| would normally come in contact with the wine in a | | | | it. And again, when you have a recipe that calls |
| standard-size bottle (750ml). While more effective | | | | for wine, break off a few "wine cubes" instead. |
| that method #1, this involves carefully transferring | | | | Some may argue that it's best to use fresh wine |
| the wine over, which is only practical to do with a | | | | when cooking. I say do what you'd like. But in my |
| funnel. | | | | house we never waste a drop of wine! |