How to Store Opened Whiskey and Wine
TLDR: Cold slows oxidation. Re-seal tightly, keep bottles upright, minimize air space, and store in the dark. Refrigerate all opened wines, even reds. Whiskey keeps for a long time if the bottle is mostly full, but fades fast once it is low.
Common mistake: people park gifted Champagne in a warm kitchen cabinet for years. Heat and light speed up oxidation, flatten bubbles, and dry the cork. If you are not drinking it soon, store cool and dark. Short term is fine in the fridge. Long term belongs in a cellar or a cool closet.
Tools that extend life:
Coravin systems let you pour without pulling the cork.
Still wine options:
Timeless for long keeping and
Pivot for weeknight bottles.
Bubbles:
Coravin Sparkling preserves pressure and mousse.
Jump to: Sparkling | White and Rosé | Light Red | Full Bodied Red | Dessert Wine | Fortified | Whiskey
| Category | Seal and storage | Temperature | Headspace rule | Use by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkling | Clamp style sparkling stopper. Keep upright. | Fridge cold, 34 to 38°F | Do not use vacuum pumps. Keep the bottle cold to slow CO₂ loss. | 1 to 3 days with a stopper. About 1 day if re-corked only. | Coravin Sparkling works well if you have it. Sugar level and pressure influence life. |
| White and Rosé | Re-cork or screwcap. Store upright in the fridge. | Fridge cold, 34 to 40°F | Transfer leftovers to a smaller bottle like a 375 ml or 200 ml, or use inert gas. | 3 to 5 days. Rich, oaked styles often 2 to 3 days. | Coravin Timeless or Coravin Pivot help if you use them. |
| Light Red | Re-cork. Store in the fridge. Upright. | Fridge cold, then serve at 55 to 62°F | Transfer leftovers to a smaller bottle like a 375 ml or 200 ml, or use inert gas. | 2 to 3 days. | Examples include Pinot Noir and Gamay. Coravin Timeless or Pivot help here too. |
| Full Bodied Red | Re-cork. Store in the fridge. Upright. | Fridge cold, then serve at 60 to 65°F | Transfer leftovers to a smaller bottle like a 375 ml or 200 ml, or use inert gas. | 3 to 5 days. | Examples include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec. Coravin systems help if you plan to stretch the bottle. |
| Dessert Wine | Re-cork. Store in fridge. Upright. | Fridge cold | Smaller bottle or inert gas helps once low. | 3 to 7 days. Very sweet styles may hold a bit longer. | Examples: Sauternes, Beerenauslese, late harvest Riesling. |
| Fortified | Re-cork or T stopper. Store cool and dark. Fridge for lighter styles. | Cool pantry or fridge for delicate styles | Minimize air. Use smaller bottle for long keeping. | Fino or Manzanilla 1 to 7 days in fridge. Amontillado 1 to 2 weeks. Oloroso 3 to 4 weeks. Ruby Port 2 to 3 weeks. Tawny Port 3 to 4 weeks. Madeira many months. Vermouth 1 to 2 months in fridge. | Fortified is more stable but still fades. Keep away from light. |
| Whiskey | Tight cap or cork, upright, dark cabinet. Parafilm helps. Avoid sunlight and heat swings. | Cool room, 59 to 68°F | Over two thirds full: fine for years. Half full: decant to 375 ml for best life. One third or less: drink within months. | Over two thirds full 2 to 5 years. Half full 1 to 2 years. One third or less 3 to 6 months. Flavored whiskey 6 to 12 months. | Do not store on side. If long term, briefly wet the cork a few times a year, then dry and re-seal. |
Practical rules
- Refrigerate all opened wines. Bring reds back to serving temperature before pouring.
- Smaller bottle beats gadgets. Transfer leftovers to a smaller bottle like a 375 ml or 200 ml.
- Inert gas helps still wines. Use a sparkling stopper or Coravin Sparkling for bubbles.
- For still wines you want to stretch, Coravin Timeless or Pivot can help.
- Whiskey lasts much longer than wine if the bottle is full and kept cool and dark.
FAQ
Should red wine be refrigerated after opening?
Yes. Cold slows oxidation. Store it in the fridge and bring it back to serving temperature before pouring.
Do vacuum pumps work?
They help a little for still wine. They do not work for sparkling. Inert gas, a smaller bottle, or Coravin are more reliable.
Can Coravin really extend wine life?
Yes. Coravin Timeless lets you pour without pulling the cork, Pivot is good for weeknight bottles, and Coravin Sparkling keeps pressure in bubbles.
Can I store whiskey in the freezer?
It is safe but not ideal for long storage. Freezing mutes aroma. Store cool and dark instead.
Should whiskey bottles lie on their side?
No. High alcohol can damage the cork. Store upright.
How long does Port or Sherry last once opened?
See the fortified row above. Lighter styles fade in days. Oxidative styles last weeks. Madeira lasts months.
Last updated: August 20, 2025
