Sparkling wine is the new red or white for dinner party enthusiasts. It’s not just a great alternative to whites, but also has its place on special occasions – especially when you want something more formal than table water!
Prosecco, a sparkling wine from northeastern Italy, is the most popular sparkling wine, aside from Champagne.
The bubbles add an extra layer of elegance that will make any occasion feel like it was worth celebrating with this easy-to playful drink in hand.
When you’re having a party and want everyone to enjoy themselves, there’s no better drink than sparkly wine.
But how do we make sure that our bubbly stays fresh? Read on as I teach you tricks for storing sparkling wines so they will still be enjoyable when the occasion calls.
How To Store Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is one of the most popular wines that are consumed around the world today. Despite it being known as sparkling, this is not champagne or even prosecco.
Sparkling wine is simply wine with carbon dioxide in suspension that causes a distinctive fizzy. This gas can be added naturally by fermenting the wine in a sealed container, or it can be added under pressure after fermentation.
The taste of sparkling wine is usually dry, but it can also be semi-sweet or sweet. The sweetness level is determined by the amount of sugar added during the winemaking process. A brut sparkling wine is one of the driest, whereas a doux is one of the sweetest.
Sparkling wine is usually served chilled, and it is important to store it in a wine cooler to maintain its temperature. Cooler temperature, sparkling ages more slowly. When storing sparkling wine, make sure the bottle is always upright. This will help to preserve the quality of the wine for as long as possible. A wine fridge is the perfect place as you can adapt the temperature.
Other sparkling wines with lower pressure, such as those created in the Tank Method, can be kept for up to two years.
If you are not going to drink the wine immediately, then you should store it in a wine fridge. This will help to preserve the quality of the wine for longer.
5 ways to Store Sparkling Wine
Keep It Cool
Ideally, you should store sparkling wine at a temperature of around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit / 8-10°C. This will ensure that the carbonation stays well intact and doesn’t go flat.
To prevent bubbles loss, opened sparkling wine should be stored upright in a kitchen refrigerator at a temperature of 40°- 45°F / 4-8 °C with a Champagne cork fitted.
If you can’t find a spot in your home that stays this cool, consider putting the wine in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Get Yourself A Wine Fridge
Wine fridges or keepers are devices that regulate the temperature of sparkling wine and help maintain carbonation in it. You can find these at most kitchen-goods stores, and they come with helpful instructions on how to use them best.
Save It For Special Occasions Only
Even if you are storing your sparkling wine properly, there is no guarantee that it will last for over a year. So you should only open it when you have a special occasion coming up – and enjoy the bubbly!
Keep An Eye On How Much You Consume
If you are drinking sparkling wine only occasionally, consider purchasing small bottles instead of larger ones. This will help to prevent wastage and keep your wine collection at a manageable size.
Make It An Event
Part of the appeal of sparkling wine is that it is a luxurious treat. So when you do open a bottle, make sure to savor it slowly and enjoy every sip. Serve it in flute glasses and set it out on a tray with some cheese and crackers. Invite your friends over and make a night of it!
How Long Can You Keep Unopened Sparkling Wine?
This depends on the sparkling wine you want to drink. In case you want prefer a low budget sparkling wine you have to consume it within a couple of months as it`s likely to be flat after longer storage.
More expensive cremant, champagne or prosecco can be stored for up to two years. A millesime champagne can be stored for 5-8 years under proper conditions.
Things To Keep In Mind When Storing Sparkling Wine
There are a few things to keep in mind when storing sparkling wine.
- Always store your bottles upright. This will help to prevent the Champagne or other sparkling wine from going flat things to keep in mind when storing sparkling wine
- Avoid places with strong odors, as the wine can absorb these.
- Do not store your sparkling wine near vibrating appliances, as this can cause it to go flat.
- If you are storing your sparkling wine for an extended period, be sure to check on it periodically to make sure the cork is still in good condition. If there are any signs that it is drying out or cracking, transfer your wine to a new bottle right away.
- Because sparkling wine tends to be more fragile and delicate than other wines, you should always handle it with care. Be sure to transfer it to new bottles or cork it tightly whenever possible. This will help preserve its flavor and quality for as long as possible.
- Try to keep your bottles in a cool, dark secure spot. A temperature around 55 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Temperature, light, and the angle at which you hold the bottle all have a role.
- If you are storing your sparkling wine for an extended period, be sure to protect it from temperature fluctuations by putting it in a climate-controlled wine cellar or fridge.
How to serve sparkling wine
Serving sparkling wine is as easy as serving white or red wine if you keep in mind the following spects:
- When serving sparkling wine, be sure to pour it into glasses that are clean and dry. If the glass is wet, it can cause the wine to go flat.
- Always serve sparkling wine chilled, but not too cold. The ideal temperature is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 8 – 10 °C.
- Be sure to store your sparkling wine at the correct temperatures, as this will help ensure that it stays in good condition and tastes great.
- Above all else, remember that sparkling wine is best enjoyed in moderation.
- Finally, if you are not going to drink it right away, leave the bottle open. You may need to return the cork every day or two, but this will keep your bubbly from getting flat.
Enjoying a glass now and then can be a wonderful way to celebrate special occasions or just unwind after a long day – just be sure not to overindulge! To help you with this we can recommend the Coravin Sparkling system Due to the price it only makes sense for higher priced champagne or prosecco.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an easy way to store your sparkling wine, then investing in a quality wine cooler is the perfect solution. They allow you to keep your sparkling wine fresh for extended periods, and they can help protect the quality of the wine.
When storing sparkling wine, it is important to remember that it should be stored on its side. This is so that the cork does not dry out and allow air to enter the bottle.
If you are going to store the wine for a long period, then you should consider using a wine vacuum pump. This will remove the air from the bottle, effectively extending the life of the wine.
