Red Wine
Store opened red wine in a cool, dark place with a cork for 3–5 days. The longevity of an opened red wine depends on its tannin and acidity levels. Light reds with minimal tannin, such as Pinot Noir, won’t last as long once opened compared to rich reds like Petite Sirah. Some wines may even improve after the first day open. To preserve opened red wines, use a chiller or place them in a dark, cool location. If a chiller is unavailable, storing in the fridge is preferable to leaving the wine exposed to a 70°F (21°C) room.
White Wine
Store light white and rosé wines with a cork in the fridge for 5–7 days. These wines are typically drinkable for up to a week when refrigerated. However, be aware that the taste will subtly change after the first day due to oxidation, with the overall fruit character diminishing and becoming less vibrant.
For full-bodied white wines, such as oaked Chardonnay and Viognier, which tend to oxidize more quickly due to increased exposure to oxygen during aging, it is advisable to refrigerate them with a cork for 3–5 days. Always ensure they remain corked and chilled. If you frequently enjoy this type of wine, investing in vacuum caps is a wise idea.
Sparkling Wine
Store sparkling wines in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper for 1–3 days. The carbonation in sparkling wines diminishes rapidly once opened. Notably, a traditional method sparkling wine like Cava or Champagne will maintain its effervescence slightly longer than a tank method sparkling wine such as Prosecco. This is because traditional method wines are bottled with more atmospheres of pressure (resulting in more bubbles), contributing to their extended freshness.
Avoid Wine Headaches Over The Holidays
Here are a few tips to avoid those nasty headaches and enjoy your favorite wines over the Holidays. Hydrate: Always have a glass of water when drinking wine. No matter the wine, if you drink multiple glasses while dehydrated, your head will pound much harder. Drinking water is a common piece of, advice but is even more important for avoiding wine headaches. Keep your fluids up and you just might be able to flush that nasty headache right through your system. Try a half glass of red wine and wait a few minutes, trust me that wine will make itself felt. If you don’t feel a headache coming on, then the wine should not be a problem. Whether the causes of red wines headaches are histamines, sulfites, tannins, yeast, or none of them or all of them, do what’s best for you. If red wines are a problem, there are plenty of white wines available and then there’s Champagne. Just remember, don’t confuse a red wine headache with the headache that comes six hours later after an evening of drinking, that is called a HANGOVER.
When you are out shopping this year, here is a little cheat sheet to help you navigate through a wine store. Reading wine labels can sometime be a challenge. The French never place grape varietals on their bottles and the questions of what is Bordeaux and or white Burgundy can also be little confusing. New World (anything other than Europe) wines will always have the grape varietal on the label which makes it easier for your personal taste. These are just an example of wines by another name.
Chardonnay
Blanc de Blanc (Champagne)
Chablis (White Burgundy)
Pouilly Fuisse’
(Macon Villages)
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon (Italy)
Sancerre
Pouilly Fume’
Fume’ Blanc
Pinot Noir
Burgundy/Bourgogne
Wine by Another Name
“The Great Champagne”
Champagne has no competition; It is no question that it is truly the best sparkling wine in the world. It is made from three grapes varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Champagne is a region in France that is known for some of the best sparkling wines in the world. To
evaluate Champagne, look at the bubbles and how long they last. Higher quality wine has numerous tiny bubbles that is elegant and last a long time, where the bubbles in the wine drift upward in a steady stream. If the
bubbles drift upward randomly (crazy bubbles), that indicates a lower
quality of wine. If it feels creamy in your mouth, it’s a higher quality, if it feels like a soft drink, it’s a lower quality. If you don’t see any bubbles, the wine is either old, bad, or just a poor glass.
Champagne is elegant and it opens to a perfect whisper. The tulip or the flutes are the best glasses for serving Champagne or Sparkling wines. Flutes and tulip shape glasses have a narrow opening, which helps the
bubbles in the Champagne and Sparkling wine from escaping and
concentrates the aroma of the wine in the glass.
The best Champagne made is called “Prestige Cuvee.
The most famous “Prestige Cuvee” is what else?
“DOM PERIGNON”
(The Largest selling “Prestige Cuvee in the world.)
Louis Roederer “CRISTAL” (The King Of Kings)
“VEUVE CLIQUOT” LA GRAND DAME
(Madame Clicquot guided Veuve to its Great Success)
“Bollinger”
Just remember; True Champagne always has the words
“Champagne” and Product of France on the label.
Anything selling for less than $30 is not “Champagne”.
“THE GREATNESS OF CHAMPAGNE WILL ALWAYS RULE”
-Doug Frost
Are You A Vegan?
Many winemakers utilize animal products in the wine processing to prevent cloudiness. The two primary substances employed are egg whites and Bentonite clay. For those seeking to abstain from all animal products, Bentonite is the preferred choice. However, a significant challenge arises as only a few winemakers make the effort to label and confirm their wines as vegan-friendly. While kosher wines are suitable for vegans, locating quality bottles can be challenging and often comes at a high cost.
But cheers, ...
On a brighter note, Champagne is a versatile companion for any occasion. Notably, Veuve Clicquot and Piper-Heidsieck NV are both vegan-friendly options.