An unopened bottle of wine can retain its qualities for a long time if all storage conditions are met. However, once opened, the drink begins to interact with oxygen, leading to oxidation and a deterioration in taste.
Opened wine should be stored in the refrigerator, sealed with its original cork. This approach slows down the oxidation process, and red wine can remain drinkable for about three days, while white wine can last approximately five. This applies to both dry and semi-dry wines. Sweet wines, due to their high sugar content, can be stored for up to several weeks.
Another way to extend storage time is to transfer the wine to a smaller container. This is because reducing the volume of the bottle decreases the surface area of the wine that is in contact with oxygen.
Sparkling wine can also be preserved for a while if a few recommendations are followed:
* Champagne and opened sparkling wines are best stored at a temperature between 6°C and 10°C;
* avoid shaking the bottle to prevent losing the gases responsible for the bubbles;
* seal the bottle neck tightly using both foil (cling film) and a special stopper for sparkling wines.
However, it is worth remembering that within a couple of days, opened wine will lose its carbonation, so long-term storage is out of the question.
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