How to Preserve Open Wine
Three free moves: Re-cork immediately — insert the cork back as soon as you've poured; every minute open shortens the life. Refrigerate everything, including reds — yes, even big reds; cold dramatically slows oxidation, just take the bottle out 30 minutes before serving. Transfer to a smaller bottle — when half or less remains, decant into a clean half-bottle (375 ml) or even a clean water bottle. Less air space = much longer life.
One paid move that's worth it: a vacuum pump (~$15). It removes air from the bottle and seals it with a rubber stopper. Effective for an extra day of life on most wines, ineffective for sparkling (it kills the bubbles even faster).
The combination — re-cork + refrigerate + transfer to half-bottle — extends most wines by 2–3 days beyond the default numbers above. For someone who finishes a bottle over a week, this is the difference between drinking wine and pouring it down the sink.
