The 7 Best Wine Stoppers, According to a Beverage Director
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Keep that open bottle fresh with our expert-approved picks.
If you enjoy having a glass of wine with dinner but wish there was a better way to preserve the rest of the bottle, you need a wine stopper in your collection. Whether enjoying a glass of wine solo after a long day, cooking a savory white wine-based recipe, or sharing a favorite bottle of red with a friend or partner, it's not always optimal to finish the entire bottle. Instead of re-inserting the used cork or, worse, pouring it down the drain, a wine stopper will prevent your wine from oxidizing to keep it fresh.
Because wine begins to oxidize from the moment it's opened, it's important to seal the bottle immediately after opening to keep it fresh for any duration of time. We've included options for overnight storage — and yes, we do recommend using a stopper and coupling that with wine refrigeration to keep the wine extra fresh — as well as options for long-term preservation. We also asked a beverage director to share some pro tips on how to keep an open bottle of wine fresh, plus his go-to wine stoppers.
Best Overall: OXO Perfect Seal Bottle Stoppers
A great way to slow oxidation is by refrigerating your wine overnight, even if it's a bottle of red. These compact wine stoppers from OXO are designed by experts, and we love their low profile, which allows for flat-top storage on refrigerator shelves. The top is made from durable stainless steel, and the "cork" is silicone with expanding ribs that provide an airtight fit.
These wine stoppers conveniently come in a set of two, so you can always keep one on hand for sipping occasions. We think they'd also make a very practical gift for the wine lover in your life.
Price at time of publish: $12
Best Value: Rabbit Bottle Stoppers, Set of 4
Rabbit has various quality wine tools and gadgets to get the most out of each bottle. In fact, the brand's winged wine opener was voted one of our favorite corkscrews in our tests. This four-pack of wine stoppers is a great value. They're well-made with a stainless steel and silicone design, and these stoppers form a tight seal in the neck of any wine bottle. Their tapered tip makes them practical for multiple bottle sizes, and they're conveniently dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $12
Best Splurge: Coravin Model Three+ Wine Bottle Opener and Preservation System
Coravin has been a go-to for industry professionals and winery tasting room staff since its inception in 2011. This wine stopper offers the most extensive wine preservation and doesn't even require popping the cork. "Coravin works by pumping inert argon gas into a bottle to keep the wine from being affected by oxygen," says Scott Taylor, Beverage Director of Harris' Restaurant in San Francisco.
The downside is that the Coravin "requires having a handheld machine to make it effective," Taylor says. However, for those who don't mind modern gadgets and prefer to preserve nicer bottles of wine from their wine rack, it's worth every penny. Keep in mind you will have to purchase refills of the argon canisters separately.
Price at time of publish: $185
Best for Pouring: OXO Steel Wine Stopper and Pourer
Not everyone can pour wine as smoothly as a sommelier, so this stopper is a game-changer for gatherings and parties. With a quick flip, you can open wine seamlessly, pour it without spilling a drop, and then close up the bottle when it's resting on your bar cart or dining room table.
This all-in-one wine stopper tool keeps your wine fresh when entertaining and also offers the extra function of a drip-free pour — a win-win for those of us who aren't as skilled as expert sommeliers.
Price at time of publish: $12
Best for Sparkling: Le Creuset Champagne Stopper
There's nothing more disappointing than slowly sipping a bottle of sparkling wine only to find that it starts to taste flat when you get to the bottom half of the bottle. While this is rare, as you'd have to drink it very slowly, the Le Creuset Champagne Crown Sealer will retain the effervescent bubbles of sparkling wine in your favorite flute throughout the night, eliminating the pressure to finish a bottle of bubbly in a single sitting.
For upcoming holiday celebrations and meals, we think this bubbly-specific wine stopper is a must-have entertaining essential.
Price at time of publish: $50
Best Modern: Repour Wine Saver Repour Wine Saver
"The Repour system keeps wine fresh for weeks without using outside gasses. Used like a regular wine stopper, Repour absorbs all oxygen to preserve the wine in the bottle. It's a game-changer for our by-the-glass program," Taylor says.
This sleek, low-profile wine stopper is ideal for at-home use when you'd prefer just a glass of wine with dinner, without fearing that the remainder of your bottle will oxidize before you get to it again. Just pop it on and let it do its magic!
Price at time of publish: $10
Best Vacuum Seal: Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump With Vacuum Bottle Stoppers
While wine stoppers and preservation tools have come a long way, the tried and true Vacu Vin is still the best in its category. An easy-to-use vacuum system pumps air out of your bottle and seals it air-tight with one of the accompanying silicone stoppers. These stoppers will keep your bottle of wine fresh for at least a few days.
Price at time of publish: $30
Factors to Consider
Storage Duration
The most important factor is the duration of storage. Do you plan to let the bottle sit overnight or need it to last a few days? Or longer? For longer preservation systems, look to the Coravin. For overnight, the more classically styled stoppers will do the trick — and a handful of them are geared for several days of freshness (check out the Vacu Vin and Repour).
Quantity
While some of these stoppers come in duos or four-packs, other stoppers with more distinct features are singular. For serious wine enthusiasts, you may want to look into purchasing a set for classic wines, plus a sparkling stopper. For those looking for something more serious, one of the higher-priced preservation systems may do the trick.
Our Expertise
Years of tasting and writing about food, wine, and spirits guide Melissa Vogt's research. As a tourist, Vogt seeks out the very best in local food and drink, and she's well acquainted with where to find good libations and eats in her hometown of Santa Rosa, Calif. Read more of her writing on her website and in Napa Valley Life, Very Napa Valley, and Wine Country This Month. As part of her research, Melissa connected with sommeliers and beverage directors from around the country.
The expertise of Beverage Director Scott Taylor of Harris' Restaurant in San Francisco helped inform her research and list curation. Taylor has spent the last 16 years working in the restaurant industry diversifying his knowledge in all aspects of the business from the back of the house to the front. He has managed a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs through the years.
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