To keep an opened bottle of wine from going bad in the refrigerator, you need to take a few steps to preserve its freshness and prevent oxidation. Here are some tips:
Re-cork or Seal Tightly: After pouring the wine, make sure to re-cork the bottle tightly. If the original cork is damaged, you can use a wine stopper or a vacuum wine pump to create a tight seal. Reducing the wine's exposure to air will slow down the oxidation process, which is one of the main factors that can spoil the taste of the wine.
Store Upright: When storing the wine in the refrigerator, keep the bottle in an upright position. Storing it upright minimizes the surface area of the wine exposed to air and can help prevent the cork from drying out.
Lower Temperature Storage: Store the wine towards the back of the refrigerator where it is typically colder and more stable. The door of the refrigerator experiences temperature fluctuations due to opening and closing, which can impact the wine's quality over time.
Use a Wine Preserver: There are various wine preservation systems available, such as inert gas sprays or vacuum pumps. These devices displace the air in the bottle with an inert gas (like nitrogen or argon) or create a vacuum to slow down oxidation. They can be effective in prolonging the life of the opened wine.
Consume Soon: Even with the best preservation methods, an opened bottle of wine will eventually start to degrade. For the best experience, try to consume the wine within a few days of opening it.
Keep Whites and Reds Separate: If you have both opened red and white wines, try to store them separately in the fridge. Red wines can tolerate slightly higher temperatures, so you might keep them outside the refrigerator for a short while before serving. Whites should be kept consistently chilled.
Remember that these methods can extend the life of an opened bottle of wine, but they won't keep it in perfect condition indefinitely. Over time, especially after a few days, the wine will start to lose its fresh taste and aromas. Therefore, it's generally best to consume an opened bottle of wine relatively soon after opening to enjoy it at its best.