Bottle Stoppers: A Preservational Must-Have for Wine Enthusiasts

No red or white wine deserves to go bad because of poor storage conditions. One of the most common mistakes people make after opening a bottle is not storing it the right way. Once you open a bottle and pour it into glasses, you should immediately close it with an airtight bottle stopper to reduce and prevent oxidation. This will help the wine preserve both its taste and flavours, which is the goal.

History of Stoppers

The history of stoppers for bottles dates back centuries, with the first known type being made from oil-soaked rags. During that time, straws, leather, wood and even clay were used for sealing bottles and containers as these were the only sources they had back then. Later on, in 1500 B.C., glass stoppers came into the game, however, they started being used widely later in the mid-19th century. Over the years, this has changed to create more functional, quality and aesthetically appealing wine bottles.

Today’s Bottle Stoppers
Nowadays, the assortment of options means you have the chance to choose the best ones for your needs. Whether choosing a cork, screw cap or glass stopper, you should opt for a practical and durable bottle stopper that won’t compromise the appearance of your bottle.

While screw caps are mainly made from metal and glass stoppers from glass, you should pay more attention if planning to choose cork stoppers for your bottles. That’s because some of them can be made from oak trees, while others can be made from synthetic cork made from plastic compounds. Both of them are a good option for your bottles, and the one you choose can mainly depend on your personal preferences.

For those times when creating some kind of special edition wine, you can invest in more luxury-looking corks (even though the glass ones are perfect for the occasion as well) like crystal, stainless steel and wood. They can come with ornate designs that will add a personal touch to the bottles.

How to Use a Bottle Stopper?

Well, using it is quite simple and easy, but the first thing you need to do is to make sure that the bottle rim is clean. No leftover residues should be around the rim, as this can affect the seal’s effectiveness, which can lead to wine spoilage and faster oxidation.

Once you make sure that the rim is clean, you can place the stopper and firmly press it down to create an airtight seal.

After sealing it, you should store it properly in a dark and cool place. Opened bottles of white wine can be stored in the refrigerator to keep them cool. According to wine connoisseurs, it would be great if you check the wine periodically to see whether the stopper is too tight or it has become a bit looser.

How to Choose One?

Choosing the right model should be done by considering several things, including:

Material

As already mentioned, these wine accessories can be made from a selection of materials, where the glass and crystal ones seem to be the most common choice. They aren’t only elegant but also durable and easy to use. Synthetic corks and metal caps also seem like reasonable solutions since they are considered the most durable options, keeping the wine in excellent condition for a long period. Even though traditional wooden corks seem to be the most natural, classic and appealing solution, they are the least long-lasting solution because they can degrade over time.

Frequency of Use

If you are selling wine for casual drinking and one that tends to be opened and closed regularly, you should look for more durable and long-lasting stoppers that can withstand daily use. For this purpose, you should opt for synthetic corks or metal caps.

Common Mistakes People Make When Using Bottle Stoppers

When it comes to using this accessory, there are some common mistakes people make that can affect the overall wine quality.

Not Inserting it Right

Forcing the stopper to enter the bottle or placing it poorly can lead to damage and also decrease the wine’s quality. Instead, the stopper should be inserted gently and firmly to create a snug seal.

Incorrect Bottle Storage

One of the most common mistakes people make when storing wine, even after it is tightly sealed, is storing it in an upright condition. Instead of keeping it on its side in a cool and dark place to maintain its quality, they tend to keep it upright.

Ignoring the Need to Clean the Rim

As already mentioned, before adding the wine accessory to keep it from leaking, one should examine for rim contamination. Ignoring this can lead to decreasing the seal’s effectiveness, and in the worst case scenario, this will lead to wine contamination.

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