How should you store wine after opening?
Put the cork or cap back on right away, stand the bottle upright and keep it in the fridge, red included; that alone keeps most wine good for about 3 to 5 days.
You don't need gadgets to save an open bottle. Most of the work is done by three habits: seal it, chill it, and do it as soon as you are done pouring.
- Seal
- Original cork, screw cap or a wine stopper
- Where
- Fridge, standing upright
- Sparkling
- Hinged sparkling stopper, not the old cork
- Bring red back to temp
- Out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before pouring
The simple routine
Recork as soon as you've poured, not at the end of the night. If the cork has swollen and won't go back in, flip it and use the clean end, or cover the top tightly with plastic wrap and a rubber band.
Upright beats sideways for an open bottle because less of the wine touches the air pocket inside. It also means no leaks in the fridge.
Do the gadgets work?
A sparkling stopper with clamps is worth the few dollars. It holds the fizz for a day or two longer than nothing at all.
Vacuum pumps help a little, but results are mixed. A cheaper trick is pouring leftovers into a smaller clean bottle or jar with a lid so there is less air on top. The spoon-in-the-Champagne-bottle trick is a myth.
Keep reading
- How long does wine last after opening?
- Can you freeze wine?
- Does wine go bad?
- What is sparkling wine?
- What is the best boxed wine?
Last checked 2026-10-18.