You’ve opened a great bottle of wine — but you’re not drinking it all in one night. So what’s the best way to store it?
If you simply put the original cork or screw cap back on, you’ll likely notice that the wine starts to taste sour, bitter or flat after just a few days. That’s due to oxygen exposure — and this is where a wine vacuum pump and wine stopper come into play. The Vacu Vin Wine Saver system consists of both components: without the stopper, the pump doesn’t work.
In this blog, we explain what the Vacu Vin Wine Saver is. We’ll break down how oxidation affects wine flavour, how to keep wine fresh after opening, and how to store it properly. Finally, we’ll show why these small stoppers are such a smart solution.
What Happens to Wine After You Open the Bottle?
Once opened, oxygen enters the bottle. A little bit of oxygen helps the wine “breathe” and release its aroma. But too much exposure leads to oxidation. Just like iron rusts, wine slowly loses its character:
- Crisp acidity fades
- Fruity notes disappear
- Sour or bitter flavours become dominant
- The wine becomes musty or “old”
This process happens faster than you might expect. People often ask:
How long can you store red wine after opening? Or: How long does white wine stay fresh after opening?
Without any protection, red wines already start to decline in taste after 2 to 3 days. White wines lose their freshness even more quickly — sometimes within just 1 to 2 days. But with a good wine vacuum pump and airtight wine bottle sealer, you can extend the freshness by several days.*
The Solution: The Vacu Vin Wine Saver
The Wine Saver from Vacu Vin is a smart tool to help you preserve wine freshness. You use the wine vacuum pump in combination with the wine stopper to pump oxygen out of the bottle. This slows down the oxidation process and keeps your wine fresh longer.
Vacu Vin offers two versions of the pump: a manual pump, and a fully automatic Electric Wine Saver. Both work with the same stoppers and provide the same vacuum preservation — the difference is in how you apply it. The Electric Wine Saver creates the vacuum at the touch of a button and stops automatically once the seal is complete.
Using the Wine Saver is quick and easy:
- Insert the Vacu Vin wine stopper into the bottle
- Place the pump on top of the stopper and start pumping
- Once you hear a distinct ‘click’, the vacuum is complete
- Store the bottle upright in the fridge or a cabinet
With the Electric Wine Saver, the process is even simpler:
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Insert the stopper
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Place the electric pump on top
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Press the button — the pump stops automatically when optimal vacuum is reached
Thanks to either method, you can often still enjoy your red or white wine up to 5 to 10 days after opening.*
Taste tests show that wine stored without vacuum protection tastes significantly worse after just 4 days. Properly sealed wine remains surprisingly lively in flavour.
And What About Sparkling Wine?
A common question: Can you use a wine vacuum pump for champagne or prosecco?
The short answer is: no. Sparkling wines rely on pressure inside the bottle to retain their bubbles. If you use a vacuum pump on champagne, you’ll literally suck out the fizz — and that would be a waste.
For sparkling wines, Vacu Vin has developed a Champagne Stopper specifically designed to retain pressure and carbonation.
What Are Wine Stoppers and Why Are They Important?
The wine stoppers are an essential part of the system. No stopper means no vacuum. The original Vacu Vin wine stoppers:
- Are made from flexible, food-safe rubber
- Seal the bottle airtight when used with the Wine Saver
- Are reusable and dishwasher-safe
There are also different types of wine vacuum pump available, including the classic black Wine Saver Original, and the more modern Loop version — available in colours like Sand, Jade, Terra and Graphite. Both versions provide the same vacuum performance, but differ in shape, grip and material:
- The Loop Wine Saver is made of 98% recycled ABS plastic
- The Original Wine Saver is now also more sustainable, made from 85% recycled PCR plastic
ℹ️ Note: Do not store vacuum-sealed bottles horizontally. This helps prevent wine from entering the pump mechanism.
Wine Saver Original vs Loop: What’s the Difference?
Both versions of the wine vacuum pump have the same goal: removing oxygen to keep wine fresh. The difference lies in the design:
- Original Wine Saver: compact, timeless and practical
- Loop Wine Saver: modern, ergonomic, with extra grip and available in a range of colours
Which one you choose is up to your personal preference. Both models are compatible with all original Vacu Vin wine stoppers.
Tips for Optimal Use
Want to get the most out of your Wine Saver? Follow these tips:
- Seal the bottle immediately after pouring
- Use one clean, dry wine stopper per bottle
- Always store the bottle upright
- Wine stoppers are dishwasher-safe, but rinsing with hot water is often quicker
- Combine the Wine Saver with a wine cooler for optimal temperature and preservation
Summary: Why You Need a Wine Vacuum Pump
A Wine Saver is a smart investment — whether you’re a wine lover or just enjoy a glass now and then. You don’t always have to finish a bottle in one go. With the right tools, you prevent waste, protect the quality, and enjoy more of what you love.
The benefits:
- Wine stays fresh for up to 10 days longer*
- Works for both red and white wines
- Slows down flavour loss and oxidation
- Quick and easy to use
- Compact, stylish, and sustainable
*Disclaimer: The number of days wine stays fresh depends on the type of wine, the temperature, and storage conditions. Light wines may stay fresh for fewer days than robust reds.