Storing white wine once it is open can sometimes be a tricky task. Indeed, just as with storing red wine, storing white wine has to follow certain rules. How do you store an open bottle of white wine? That is the question we are going to answer.
How do you store white wine after opening?
The first thing you should check in order to store wine well is the amount of wine left. If there is only a very small amount of wine left, it can be wise to transfer it into another, smaller container. Oxidation is the main risk hanging over your bottle of wine after it has been opened. By keeping the wine in a smaller, sealed container, you limit its contact with oxygen. So, to store an open white wine well:
- Place it in the smallest possible container;
- Close the container to prevent the wine from coming into contact with oxygen;
- Keep the wine in a cool place, away from sunlight.
Where should you store open white wine?
To ensure white wine is stored well after opening, you have to keep it in a cool place away from light. Two options are available to you: the wine cellar or the fridge. Storing open white wine in the fridge ensures little exposure to light and a low temperature. That said, remember to take the bottle of wine out of the fridge a little while before tasting. This will let the wine warm up a bit and reach its tasting temperature. Keeping open wine in your cellar, on the other hand, seems natural. Indeed, the temperature of a wine cellar helps prevent the wine from evolving too quickly. The cellar also has the advantage of being well protected from light. There is plenty there to ensure your white wine is stored well.
What temperature should you store white wine at after opening?
The storage temperature of white wine must be low to limit the evolution of the wine. So the temperature of your fridge will be perfect for storing the wine. On the other hand, make sure you let the wine warm up before serving: the serving temperature of white wine is generally between 8°C and 10°C. Below these temperatures, you will not let the wine’s aromas develop and you will not feel anything. That would be a shame.
How long can you keep open white wine?
The shelf life of white wine after opening varies. That said, the sweeter the wine, the longer it can keep. A Sauternes will therefore keep longer after opening compared to a white wine from Savoie, for example. A dry white or a rosé keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge with the cork back in. A sweet white keeps one to two weeks, and a vin jaune several weeks. A sparkling wine keeps 1 to 3 days with a sparkling stopper.
Tools for storing white wine
Finally, there are systems that help maximise the storage of white wine. Professionals can thus use wine dispensers that keep open white wine for a long time without compromising it. For private individuals, we recommend using a vacuum pump. It removes part of the air in the bottle and so slows its oxidation a little. It may buy you a day or two, but it is no miracle.
If storing the white wine goes well, you will have the chance to raise a toast with the contents of the same bottle. There is plenty there to extend the pleasure of tasting a wine. On the other hand, if storing the white wine after opening is a failure, you may end up with an expired wine.
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