How to Recork Wine: A 4 Step Guide

For those passionate about wine, basic knowledge and skills for wine preservation is crucial. In this article we will discuss the art of how to recork wine, enhancing your wine drinking whether you're a connoisseur or just like the occasional glass with dinner. We'll cover more than just recorking; we'll explore what it means for your wine's quality and longevity.

When you're left with a half-empty bottle, the question arises: what should you do with the cork? Recorking the bottle is the immediate answer for most, but this involves more than just plugging the cork in the bottle. The cork's job is to prevent air from entering and to keep the wine's quality intact. When recorking, it's important to insert the cork with the side that was in contact with the wine going in first. This side is already conditioned to the wine's environment, reducing the risk of altering the flavor. If the original cork is unusable or doesn't fit, a wine stopper is a suitable alternative. These stoppers are designed to seal the bottle tightly, preserving the wine's flavors and extending its shelf life.

Recorking wine helps to preserve it for a few days. Follow these simple 4 steps for effective recorking:

1. Check the Cork: Before recorking, examine the cork. If it’s in poor condition, consider using a wine stopper.

2. Clean the Cork: Ensure the cork is clean and free from residue before reusing it.

3. Proper Insertion: Insert the cork with the stained side first, twisting gently as you push it into the bottle.

4. Correct Storage: Store the bottle upright to minimize air contact and prevent oxidation.

These steps help maintain your wine’s freshness, making every glass enjoyable.

"Corked wine" refers to a wine contaminated with cork taint, not just pieces of cork in the wine. This fault, mainly due to TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), can give the wine a musty or moldy aroma and taste. Though cork taint is not harmful, it can ruin the wine's flavor.

Seeing as you’ve navigated to the Coravin Community page, you’re probably well aware of our passion for wine preservation. If you’re new to Coravin, then let us take this time to welcome you to the wonderful world of wine preservation. Our mission is to provide wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, sommeliers and everyone in between with limitless choices when it comes to consuming wine and allowing you to preserve wine even after it's been opened. Our wine preservation systems enable consumers to pour a glass today, and preserve what remains for weeks, months or even years to come. Unlike other wine preservers, which only delay the oxidation of your wine, the Coravin Wine Preservation System is designed to pour wine and displace what has been poured with argon gas, so wine always tastes like it has just been opened—even years later.