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Nothing is quite as disappointing as having to throw out half a bottle of good wine. With all the best intentions, it gets stored in the fridge or cupboard for another day, only for that day to arrive, and all you are left with is vinegar, where wine once was. So the question is, can you vacuum seal wine?
You can vacuum seal white and red wine successfully. Vacuum sealing wines will remove excess oxygen, slowing down the oxidation process and keeping the wines fresh for longer. Unsealed wine will last only 5 days, while wines sealed with a vacuum seal can last up to 14 days.
If you regularly purchase wine, investing in a top-quality vacuum sealer might be a great idea. After opening a bottle, this will allow you peace of mind, knowing that it will last a few more days and taste no different either. Let’s look at a complete guide and explanation of what to know about vacuum-sealing wine.
TIP: If you want to check out the best refrigerator for wine storage, I recommend trying out the Avation (18 bottles) compressor refrigerator with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system. You can find this refrigerator by clicking here (Amazon link).
Can You Vacuum Seal Wine?
Wines like red, white, and sparkling wines can be vacuum sealed. More expensive Bruts and Champagne can also be vacuum sealed successfully. This way, your wine, sparkling wine, or Champagne will remain preserved and fresh for a few days longer than usual.
Before the vacuum sealer for bottles was invented in 1986, the norm was to simply toss the cork and empty the bottle or push the brittle cork back into the neck using intense concentration and luck. Even if you were lucky, the cork almost always got damaged or broke.
After 2 days, the wine would already start turning bad due to the rapid onset of oxidation. The taste of the wine will be more tart on the tongue, and the aroma can resemble vinegar. Once the oxidation process has begun, the wine is useless and should be discarded.
TIP: If you are interested in checking out the best vacuum sealer for wines, I recommend trying out The Original Vacu Vin sealer. You can find this vacuum sealer by clicking here (Amazon link).
The vacuum seal method helps to remove as much oxygen from the bottle, allowing it to cheat the oxidation process slightly. It is best to store the bottle standing as it has the least amount of oxygen between the liquid and the seal. The vacuum seal is easy to use and requires no training.
Recommendation box: Everything you need to enjoy your wine as much as possible. All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website (Amazon links):
> Ivation Wine Cooler – Energy-efficient wine cooler for 18 bottles with Wi-fi smart app control cooling system.
> Wine Rack – Beautiful, elegant wood rack for up to 7 bottles and the choice of vertical or horizontal storage.
> Durand Wine Opener – Classic vintage wine opener (we like all these classic staff).
> YouYah Iceberg Wine Decanter – The most beautiful and handy wine decanter we personally use.
> Bormioli Rocco Wine Glasses – A set of eight elegant and traditional wine glasses made in Italy.
> Vintorio Wine Aerator – Simple but really useful wine aerator for a reasonable price.
> The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver – The best wine saver on the market in a package with two vacuum stoppers and two wine servers.
And if you want to become a true connoisseur of wine, we recommend reading the book Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine (Amazon link), where you will find all the information you need about winemaking, wine varieties, flavors, and much more.
Does Vacuum Sealing Wine Work?
How open wine is stored is greatly important. Because the integrity of wine is influenced by things such as oxygen, sunlight, direct light, and heat, it is critical to store the wine as best as possible. One of the more effective ways to do that is to vacuum seal the bottle immediately after opening.
There are some steps to follow after you vacuum seal your newly opened bottle of wine. This will help preserve the wine further. You can try the following;
- After opening the wine, apply the vacuum seal using the enclosed instructions.
- Store the newly sealed bottle upright to minimize oxidation.
- Store the bottle in a location where the temperature is no more than 55 – 59 °F and the humidity is between 50 and 70%.
- Ideally, the storage space should be void of light or have very low light. Oxidation of wine is sped up when there is high light or sunlight close to the bottles.
- Consume the vacuum-sealed wine within 10 to 14 days.
TIP: Check out this article to find out how long wine takes to freeze. Likewise, read this article to learn what to do if you leave a bottle of wine overnight in a freezing car.
The vacuum mechanism that activates the rubber plug or stopper creates a vacuum similar to the original seal. This helps to reduce the amount of oxygen the wine is exposed to once the cork is removed. As soon as air enters, the oxidation process begins, but the vacuum seal prevents it from progressing. Your wine will stay drinkable significantly longer.
TIP: Most wines go bad once you pop the cork within a day or so. But a Coravin Wine Preservation system (available for a great price on Amazon) can extend the life of your opened wine for weeks or even months. It is awesome. You should check it out to see if it fits your lifestyle.
How Long Will Vacuum Sealed Wine Last?
No matter what conventional preservation method you decide to use, once you open your bottle of wine, the oxidation process will start immediately. Typically, you get around 2 days from a bottle of white wine and 5 days from a bottle of red wine. You will taste the difference without a doubt.
There are a few things you can do to help the wine stay fresh longer, and they are as follows;
- Decant the wine into a smaller bottle to lessen exposure to oxygen
- Store the bottle in the refrigerator
- Store the bottle away from light
- Re-cork the bottle
- Vacuum seal the bottle
Vacuum sealing was invented in 1986, and the original Vacu Vin (Amazon link) was not as advanced as the models available today, but it was a giant leap for the home preservation market. The vacuum seal allows a bottle of wine to stay fresh and drinkable for between 5 to 14 days. This is a massive improvement from the 5 days that conventional methods provide.
TIP: It may surprise a lot of people, but wine coolers can be necessary to store wine properly, but only under specific circumstances, which I highlight in this article. Is there really a difference between a refrigerator and a wine cooler? Find out here.
Red and white wines will last for different amounts of time. White wine will not last as long as red wine, and that is due to many factors. Here is a guide as to how long wines may last;
| Type Of Wine | Uncorked | Re-Corked | Vacuum Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 5 days | 7 days | 7 to 14 days |
| White | 2 days | 5 days | 7 to 10 days |
| Rose | 3 days | 5 days | 7 to 10 days |
Best Wine Vacuum Sealer
The Vacu Vin wine sealer has been around since 1986 and has been through three modifications. The journey started with its founder and progressed to today’s innovative product.
- 1983 – The original prototype was designed and created
- 1986 – The first Wine Saver was produced
- 2001 – The Wine Saver Concerto was produced with a click vacuum indicator. The patented Stopper was designed
- 2006 – A redesign was done
- 2017 – The Wine Saver and Server was produced with a patented 2-in-1 vacuum and serving function. This allows for vacuum sealing and pouring without dripping.
The Vacu Vin (Amazon link) is currently considered the best wine vacuum sealer on the market. Their design and concept are simple, effective, and brilliant. The patented stopper should be used in conjunction with the Wine Saver. These plugs create an airtight vacuum in an opened wine bottle, and once it produces the patented click sound, it is now ready to be stored.
Using the stoppers with the Wine Saver guarantees wine freshness for up to 10 days. It could be longer if the other storage conditions are optimal. Numerous factors make the Vacu Vin the best vacuum seal on the market, such as;
- The Wine Saver is easy to use and made from durable stainless steel.
- The Wine Stoppers are durable and dishwasher-friendly
- The Wine Stoppers last for years
- The Wine Saver can be used on any wine except sparkling
- The Wine Saver and Stopper can be used multiple times without failing
TIP: To learn how light affects wine, you need to read this helpful article. It will teach you what light does to wine and how to protect your wine collection from damage. And this article really dives into what sunlight can do to wine.
Conclusion
The wine vacuum seal is hands down one of the greatest inventions of our time. The simplistic, robust yet effective design and function are unmatched. The inventor and founder share a common interest with their customers: the love of wine and not having to waste it.
If you enjoy having a single glass of wine and are worried that you will waste a bottle, then investing in a vacuum seal and wine stoppers would be a great idea. That way, you would not have to feel bad or guilty for having to throw out a half bottle of spoilt wine.
TIP: Are you interested in buying a wine stopper? We’ve personally tried and recommend buying one of these wine stoppers (Amazon links):
- The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver: Our top choice. Very easy-to-use wine stopper/saver. You can enjoy a glass of fresh wine whenever you want without worrying about wasting any.
- EZBASICS Wine Saver: Great alternative to Original Vacu Vin Saver. This wine stopper keeps the flavor of wine for up to one week.
- Champagne Stopper by MiTBA: Wine stoppers for sparkling wines are different. This wine stopper seals your bottle and increases the pressure so your beverage’s bubbles won’t go to waste.
TIP: Check out this page for a complete list of wine products and accessories I love. You’ll find my recommendations for wine refrigerators, decanters, and aerators and the best place to buy wine online. Click here to see the complete listing.