There is nothing like pouring and savouring a glass of your favourite wine after a long day. But what happens when something goes wrong, and your wine moment doesn’t go as smoothly as planned?
Don’t worry! Our wine experts compiled a list of simple wine hacks that every wine lover should know. Read on to discover these handy tricks and make your wine experience smoother.
1. How to chill wine quickly
We’ve all been there: you’re ready to enjoy a bottle of wine, but it’s not cold enough. Here’s a quick fix, rather than waiting forever for it to chill in the fridge.
Wrap the bottle in a damp tea towel and pop it into the freezer. In just 15-20 minutes, your wine—whether it’s a crisp Italian white wine, a rosé, or even sparkling wine—will be perfectly chilled and ready to pour.
2. Preserve wine with a vacuum pump
Sometimes, you won’t finish a whole bottle in one sitting, but you don’t want the leftover wine to go bad. Oxygen is the enemy of wine freshness, and exposure to air can make your wine lose its flavour quickly.
To avoid this, invest in a wine vacuum pump. This handy tool removes the excess air from the bottle and seals it tight, keeping your wine fresh for a few extra days.
You can read our guide for more tips on how long opened wine can last.
3. Chill wine with frozen grapes
If you like your wine chilled but don’t want to water it down with ice cubes, here’s a perfect alternative: frozen grapes.
Simply toss a few into your glass, and they’ll cool your wine without diluting the taste. Plus, they look pretty in the glass and make for a fun, edible treat once they thaw.
4. Open a bottle without a corkscrew
Imagine you’re all set for a glass of wine, only to realise you don’t have a corkscrew. No need to panic! There are clever ways to open the bottle using stuff you can find around your home.
Shoe method
Place the bottom of the wine bottle inside a sturdy shoe (heel first), and gently tap the shoe against a wall.
The pressure will slowly push the cork out. It’s a bit unconventional, but this hack does the job in a pinch.
Key method
Insert a sturdy household key into the cork at a 45-degree angle, ensuring it’s deep enough to grip. Gently twist the key while pulling upward, wiggling the cork as you go.
With some effort, the cork will gradually loosen and pop out. It may seem unusual, but it’s handy when in a tricky situation.
Spoon method
Use the handle of a metal spoon to push the cork into the bottle. Carefully apply pressure to the top of the cork until it slides down into the wine.
Though the cork will end up inside the bottle, this method allows you to enjoy your wine without needing a corkscrew.
5. Remove red wine stains with salt and soda water
Spills happen, and red wine stains can be a nightmare. But with this hack, you don’t need to stress.
If you spill wine on your clothes or tablecloth, immediately sprinkle salt onto the stain. The salt will absorb much of the wine.
Then, dab the stain with soda water to remove any remaining colour. This quick action can help prevent a lasting stain.
6. Aerate wine with a blender
Certain wines like Barolo, Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux benefit from decanting to fully release their complex aromas and flavours.
While traditional wine decanting can take time, a quick way to aerate wines is to use a blender. Pour the wine into the blender and blend on low for 30-60 seconds.
This helps open up the wine quickly, giving you a result similar to hours of decanting in just a fraction of the time.
7. Revive flat sparkling wine
There is nothing worse than opening a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne and finding it’s lost its fizz. Even with a good understanding of wine shelf life, wine can sometimes lose its sparkle. But don’t throw it away just yet!
Try dropping a single raisin into the bottle. The natural sugars in the raisin can interact with the remaining bubbles, giving the wine a small boost of carbonation and reviving some of its sparkle.
Put these wine hacks to the test!
From quick-chilling your wine to removing stubborn stains, these tricks will make your wine-drinking experience easier and more enjoyable.
So next time you pour a glass, remember these tips—you never know when they’ll come in handy!
Excited to try out these hacks? Browse our wines and discover the perfect bottle to complement your wine expertise!
