What To Do With Leftover Wine

Looking for ways to use up leftover wine? I’ve got lots of ideas – from tips on how to freeze wine, to delicious recipes that offer tasty and creative solutions to the problem of wine waste.

As I get older, I find that the question of what to do with leftover wine swirls around in my head much more now than in my younger days.

As the only one in my household who likes wine, a whole bottle of red or white wine is not something I can drink by myself in one sitting. In younger years, oh yes, with abandon! But now, as a much more responsible drinker, my head aches in advance at the mere thought of drinking anything more than a couple of glasses.

I try so very hard (so hard!) not to waste wine, even organic wine. But sometimes it just can’t be helped. Or can it?

Thankfully, I’ve found a few failsafe ways to use up any wine – white or red – that can help prevent you from pouring any excess down the drain:

Is Wine Waste A Problem?

You might not think that wine waste is a big deal, but it’s a surprisingly large problem.

According to research by UK wine merchant Laithwaites, the average British household discards around two glasses of wine a week. This is the equivalent of 624 million bottles nationally – enough to fill 333 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Whilst the carbon footprint of producing and transporting wine is hard to calculate, it undoubtedly does have a significant footprint – particularly as so many of the wines we drink come from quite far away.

I’ve put together a guide to ethical wine for help choosing a better bottle. But ethics aside, it’s also important to minimise food waste where we can. After all, wasting wine means the energy, water, and resources used to grow the grapes, transport the bottle, and package the wine are all wasted, too.

How Long Wine Lasts Once Opened

First off, it’s important to know how long opened leftover wine can be stored for before going off. As a student, I used to work in bars (one of my many jobs!), and so the following guide is imprinted in my brain:

• Opened white wine lasts for up to three days in a refrigerator.
• Opened sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Cava, can again be stored for up to three days in the fridge.
• Champagne can be stored for up to five days in the fridge.
• Rose wine can be stored for up to five days in the fridge.
• Open red wine lasts for up to five days stored in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard.
• Fortified wines, such as sherry and port, are best if drunk within 28 days of opening and stored in a cool, dark place.

In all cases, make sure you replace the cork or lid, or use a bottle stopper to help stop air from getting in. This is because wine really doesn’t like too much air. It can change the taste, smell, and quality of your wine, and can mean it goes off faster than it should.

What To Do With Leftover Wine

If you can’t drink your wine before it goes off – which you’ll know by that classic vinegar smell and taste – then here are some ideas on what to do with leftover wine:

Freeze It

One of the best ways to use leftover wine is to pour it into ice cube or muffin trays and freeze it to use in future recipes, such as stews, sauces, or bolognese.

Once frozen, you can pop them out into a labelled and dated container for storage, and then use them in recipes that call for a small quantity of wine. They should last for up to three months in the freezer,

Bear in mind that because of the alcohol content of the wine, the frozen cubes of wine won’t be as hard as standard ice cubes made of water. However, they will be solid enough to transfer into a tub or bag.

Compost It

You might be surprised to hear that you can compost wine in small amounts. A little leftover wine now again can add beneficial nitrogen and moisture to your compost bin or heap, plus a bit of yeast, which can boost microbial activity. 

However, it’s important that you only add a little bit at a time, and that you don’t make a habit of it. Too much moisture can halt the composting process – leaving you with a smelly, stagnant compost bin.

See my guide on what you can compost for more surprising things that can go in your home compost bin.

Cook With It

If you’re planning on cooking with wine straight away, then skip the freezing and proceed straight to cooking. Leftover wine is a great way to add flavour to your cooking. Here are five vegan recipes that call for wine:

Mushroom Bourguignon

The Simple Veganista’s comforting autumnal recipe for Mushroom Bourguignon calls for a cup of red wine (just over 200ml) to add flavour and depth to this delicious dish.

Garlic and White Wine Pasta

The Minimalist Baker’s recipe for garlic and white wine pasta with Brussels sprouts is high up on my list of recipes to try this winter.

This recipe calls for one-third of a cup (about 80 ml) of white wine, with Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc recommended as the best-suited wines. It’s a tasty way to use up smaller quantities of leftover white wine.

Red Wine Braised Lentils

This recipe for red wine braised lentils from Give It Some Thyme is another great autumnal dish. It calls for 1 ½ cups of dry red wine (about 360 ml), so it is a great way to use up larger quantities of leftover wine.

Red Wine Brownies

Finally, hankering after something sweet? These vegan brownies are made with red wine for added depth of flavour. The recipe calls for half a cup of red wine (around 120 ml).

More Food Waste Tips

Any other tips or recipes for using up leftover wine? Do share with Moral Fibres readers in the comments below. And if you are looking for more ways to reduce what you waste, you can find more food waste tips right this way.