Sometimes there are occasions when you end up with leftover wine that you really don’t want to waste. Perhaps you opened a red and a white to accompany different courses of a meal or the differing taste buds of your guests, or you simply wanted one glass at the end of the day and can’t stand the thought of wasting the rest of the bottle.
Whatever the reason, there are some things you can do to ensure you never end up using your favourite tipple as drain cleaner.
Avoiding Wastage
You could consider buying the smaller half-size bottles so that you aren’t leaving wine opened.
The reality is that once it is opened the wine, whether red, white or rose, starts to be affected by oxidation, caused by the oxygen in the air. It is suggested that 24 hours of being open in the air may well age a wine the equivalent of one year in a bottle.
Choose your wine carefully, whether via a physical store or online merchant. If you enjoy it more, it is less likely to be wasted, and better-quality wine often keeps better.
If looking for online wine merchants in Northern Ireland, you could consider the selection of wines available at http://thewinecompanyni.com/.
Storing Opened Wine
Many people think that wine, especially sparkling wine, will be bad or undrinkable with a day or two. But actually, as this article from the Daily Mail states, wine can be kept for up to five days, especially when stored in the fridge – even the red wines.
Before putting it in the fridge, ensure the bottle is resealed as tightly as you can, either via the original cork or with a wine sealer or stopper of some kind.
Another option is to freeze your leftovers in ice cube trays, or for bigger amounts in small plastic freezer containers. These are perfect to add extra flavour and body when you are cooking stews, sauces, and soups. Simply throw in a cube or two straight from the freezer or allow a small tub to defrost to use in your recipe.
If you drink the same wine on a regular basis, they are also a great way to add ice for a refreshing wine cooler in summer without adding extra water to your drink as the cubes dissolve.
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