September 29, 2021 Monica Yu

Essential Wine Hacks

Various wine glasses red wine

Given the fact that we're all drinking more wine these days, its nice to have some new tips and tricks up your sleeves. Here are some of our top wine hacks that are here to save the day. We've tested these out and they work in a pinch.

Chill It

Ever need to chill a bottle fast? You can wrap a cold towel around the bottle and put it directly in the freezer. Don't forget to take it out so it doesn't actually freeze. However, experts say the best way to chill a bottle within 20 minutes or less is to put it in a bucket of ice and salt. Salt will speed up the freezing so that when the ice begins to melt, the water will remain cold.

Cork In A Bottle

It happens to all of us, even the professionals. If you accidently break a cork and the pieces end up in the bottle there is a quick fix for that. Use a coffee filter, place it over a glass and pour the wine thru the filter to catch any pieces.

Remove Stains

Try to not wear a white shirt while drinking red wine. If you can't avoid it and the inevitable happens, immediately cover the stain with salt. Cover it completely and then apply pressure over the stain. Let the shirt sit for at least 2 hours before rinsing it with very hot water.

Another trick to try is to pour milk onto it and let it soak for an hour or two, then rinse.

Purple Stained Teeth

After a day of tasting wine, most wine professionals will try to hid their pearly whites. The best way to remove red wine stains on your teeth is to drink some sparkling water. The effervescence will help loosen the red wine stains. Then wipe your teeth with a cloth.

No Corkscrew, No Problem

There's nothing worse than getting ready to open your favorite bottle and realize you're without a corkscrew. You’ll need some tools — a long screw, screwdriver and hammer. Remove the foil from the bottle top. Using the screwdriver, turn the screw into the cork until only about 1/4-inch of the screw is still visible. Then take the claw end of the hammer, slide it around the screw and pull straight up until the cork is free. It takes a little elbow grease, but it works.

Leftover Wine for Weeks

Ever have some wines leftover and you intend to drink it by end of the week and you forget? Instead of wasting it, pour it in an ice cube tray and use it for cooking. Pop the frozen vino cubes in a plastic bag and they'll last for several weeks.

Make that Bottle Last a Bit Longer

You can always transfer any remaining liquid to a small glass container to keep as much oxygen away from the wine as possible. Or better yet, use a simple Wine Preserver and recork your bottle. Best to keep in a temperature controlled wine fridge if you have access to one. Or remember to keep it out of sunlight and preferably in a cool, dark space. Always try to store the bottle laying flat if possible, this will prevent oxidation and your wine will taste much better than if you left it standing upright.