Opening a bottle of wine and not finishing it presents a dilemma. Surely, this has happened to you at some point, and you’ve wondered, “How can I preserve it to continue enjoying it another day?” Re-corking the wine is an option.
Re-corking is the solution. It’s as simple as replacing the original cork with a new one that seals the bottle hermetically again. But what kind of cork should you use? Natural corks can break when uncorking and also when trying to put them back in the bottle without the proper tool. It’s a risk you shouldn’t take.
For this reason, synthetic corks are the best option to preserve that opened wine for a few more days.
Advantages of re-corking opened wine
Is it worth saving the wine once opened? Yes, of course. If you practice the method of re-corking, besides making the most of the bottle you’ve paid for, you’ll find that it has a number of advantages if done right:
- Extends the life of the wine by preventing oxidation. It is contact with oxygen that causes wine to degrade, so resealing the bottle minimizes this alteration.
- Keeps the wine’s flavor and aroma intact, as if freshly opened. However, not indefinitely, only for a few days.
- Depending on factors like the type of wine and storage conditions, it can extend consumption by 2 to 5 extra days.
- It is ideal for delicate wines like sparkling or rosé wines. These types of wines are more sensitive to oxidation, so they benefit greatly from effective re-corking.
- Prevents spills and losses during storage. The new cork should ensure a perfect seal for this purpose.
- It is especially useful in the hospitality industry, allowing opened bottles to be more profitable by extending the wine’s preservation. It reduces waste and costs.
In short, well-executed re-corking guarantees maximum wine efficiency, preventing unnecessary waste and saving money.
Re-corking an opened wine bottle
Opening a wine and not finishing it is common, even in the hospitality industry, and the reason is that it’s not done properly. Therefore, it’s essential to know the steps to do it correctly:
- Carefully remove the original cork without breaking it or leaving any fragments behind. You can use a corkscrew with extractor prongs that facilitate a clean extraction. For older corks, you can use a two-pronged corkscrew, also known as a butler’s corkscrew or waiter’s corkscrew.
- Clean the bottle neck with a cloth to remove any residue. This step is important to ensure the new cork fits perfectly.
- Select a new synthetic cork specifically for re-corking. These are high-quality and made from food-safe materials.
- Gently insert the cork and press to seal the bottle. These corks are designed to make the re-corking process easy.
- Mark the opening date to monitor the maximum consumption time (5 days).
- Ensure the cork is properly aligned and flush with the bottle neck.
By following these simple steps, you’ll achieve a perfect, professional re-corking.
Advantages of synthetic corks for re-corking opened wine
If you’re wondering why to use a synthetic cork instead of the original natural one, here are some advantages:
- It achieves greater airtightness to seal the bottle, thanks to its dense and elastic materials.
- It uses high-quality materials that do not transmit odors or flavors.
- Its special design makes it easy to insert and provides an optimal aesthetic finish.
- Ensures a smooth extraction without risk of breaking. The synthetic material is more resistant and elastic than cork and does not fragment.
- They are very economical.
- They are certified for food contact under European regulations, guaranteeing hygiene and safety.
Synthetic corks are the most effective and professional option for re-corking wines in the hospitality industry.
Size and shape of re-corking corks
These re-corking corks for bottles are available in the most common diameter used in wine bottles. This diameter ensures a perfect fit to the bottle neck.
The diameter at the cork ends is 19.4 mm ± 0.3 mm. The body diameter is 22.3 mm ± 0.3 mm.
The length of the corks is 42.4 mm ± 0.3 mm. Thanks to this size, the corks can fit bottles with different neck depths. Their standardized design makes them suitable for most bottle formats on the market.
Their geometry and dimensions ensure a solid fit without excessive material compression.
Storing opened wine bottles
Once you’ve re-corked the bottle, it should be stored vertically in a cool, dark place. The fridge is not ideal, except for sparkling wines.
The best practice is to consume the re-corked wine within 2-3 days, but under optimal storage conditions, it can last up to 5 days. After the maximum time has passed, it is recommended to evaluate its aroma before drinking to ensure it is still in good condition.
If you want to preserve the opened bottle for longer, you should also follow these tips:
- Minimize the amount of air in the bottle. Fill to the neck if there is little wine left.
- Keep it at a constant temperature between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of wine. Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- It is generally advised to store bottles upright, and only store bottles lying down if they have a lot of wine left and a high-quality cork.
With these tips, you can now consider yourself an expert in re-corking opened wine bottles.
