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Merlot

22 years ago

Does Merlot have to be refrigerated after it's opened?

A dinner guest, helping to clean up the table, placed an opened bottle of some very good Merlot in the pantry (1 week ago). I just found it, and was wondering if it should be dumped, or put in the refrigerator to save as a cooking wine.

(No, I won't taste it...I cook with wine, but don't drink)

Thanks

~Morgan

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Comments (4)

ann_t
22 years ago
Morgan. In my opinion I would dump it. Once wine is opened it oxidizes and starts to deteriorate. If it had been recorked almost immediately you could have even drank this the next day with just a little deterioration and if you had refrigerated it you could have used it for cooking within a few days. It really wouldn't be fit to drink and therefore it isn't fit to cook with either.

Ann.
lindac
22 years ago
I wouldn't dump it....it will for sure be more sour....but makes a great marinade.
Also, the less "head room" in a bottle the better it keeps. So if you have a 1/3 of a bottle left, it will keep better if you pour it into something smaller.
Linda C
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Sam_Erwin
22 years ago
I would taste it and if you like it drink it. In the old days wine was not refrigerated after opening.
molerj
22 years ago
If it was corked it will be fine. I make wine & very often have some left in the bottle. Most often I will put the cork in & put it in the fridge, but alot of times it sits out & it stays fine.

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