When preparing homemade wine, the question often arises of where to store it later. Is it possible to store homemade wine in plastic bottles or is it better to use glass? How to properly store homemade wine so that it remains good for as long as possible.
Is it possible to make wine in plastic bottles?
When the preparation of homemade wine comes to an end, the question immediately arises of where to pour it next. The most commonly used are plastic bottles. But it remains questionable whether it is suitable for this purpose or whether it is better to pour it into glass.But it’s better to make it in glass containers.
Advantages and disadvantages
Most often, finished homemade wine is bottled in plastic bottles. Almost every home has empty lemonade or water containers. Therefore, it is not necessary to spend money and buy additional packaging. But this storage method has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of using a plastic container:
- low price;
- different volumes;
- weight (it’s convenient to sell in such containers);
- capacity;
- ease of use;
- easy to clean;
- You can ferment in plastic bottles;
- there is an opportunity to reuse.
But using such containers for dispensing alcohol has many disadvantages. If you put plastic in a warm place, harmful substances, including microplastics, begin to be released. This also happens if you put it on fermentation. Despite the fact that plastic bottles are easy to use and inexpensive, storing drinks in such containers is dangerous. Especially if the containers will be exposed to high temperatures.
But if you follow the storage rules, you can pour homemade wine into plastic without fear that it will have a harmful effect on your health.
What kind of plastic is suitable?
Not all types of plastic are used to store homemade wine. Containers of water or other drinks are suitable. But in this case, you still need to choose containers. Very often, due to storage in plastic bottles, alcohol acquires an unpleasant plastic taste and begins to smell bad.
Another big problem with using plastic is that it allows air and other gases to pass through. As a result, oxidation processes occur.
To understand whether a container is suitable for bottling or not, you need to look for the PETE or HDPE icon.If the container has these markings, it means it is suitable for bottling.
All other types of plastic with other markings cannot be reused for bottling any drinks, not just wine.
Rules for storing in plastic containers
To ensure that homemade wine does not spoil for as long as possible, it must be bottled correctly and optimal storage conditions must be observed.
Rules for storing drinks in plastic:
- You can only use bottles that have previously contained drinks or other food products. You should not use other bottles.
- It is also important to check the labeling before pouring the drink. The label must say PET (PETE) or HDPE.
- Before pouring the drink, the container will have to be thoroughly washed with soap and dried. There should be no smell coming from it.
- After the bottle has been washed, it should be disinfected. An iodine solution is suitable for this. Dissolve 3-5 drops of iodine in water and rinse the container with the solution. Then rinse with clean water.
- It is also advisable to soak the lids in an iodine solution for 35-50 minutes.
- It is recommended to check wine in plastic regularly. If an unpleasant odor or taste appears, you should immediately pour it into a clean container.
- The drink should be stored upright in a cool place.
After the bottles are ready, pour the wine and seal them with lids.
Everything you need to know about wine expiration dates
The shelf life of wine largely depends on the conditions in which the drink is stored. If it is stored in plastic, please note that the shelf life is about 3 months. Containers should be placed in a cool place where sunlight does not penetrate. The optimal temperature is +5 - +15 degrees.
If you keep a drink in plastic for longer, then even under favorable storage conditions, oxidation processes will begin to occur over time. Because of this, the taste of the drink deteriorates. Not to mention the fact that plastic begins to release microplastics, which are dangerous to human health.
The maximum shelf life may be if it is stored in glass jars or bottles. For example, you can roll up cans of wine the same way you roll up canned food.
Storage time for wine in plastic
The shelf life in plastic is short. Even if all storage conditions are met, the shelf life is still 3-5 months, no more. Of course, you can store it longer, but the taste of the drink may leave much to be desired. Alcohol takes on an unpleasant aftertaste and also begins to smell bad.
It is best to use glass. You don't have to buy special bottles. Regular jars are quite suitable for this purpose.
Some winemakers recommend pouring purchased wine in plastic bottles (for example, homemade wine is found on almost every corner among local residents in the south) into glass containers. It is best to roll them up with lids after this. But any other sealed packaging will do.
How long can you store after opening the container?
The shelf life after opening the container of any wine is several months. After opening, it is recommended to store it for no more than two months. But this rule is often neglected. This is especially true for homemade wine. Plastic is not the best material for storing alcoholic beverages anyway. It is used in extreme cases. It is recommended to store purchased wine in plastic bottles for no more than six months after opening.
After opening, it is recommended to pay even more attention to storage conditions.Under no circumstances should you leave alcohol in the sun or in a room with high air temperatures. Open alcohol can only be stored in the refrigerator. If these conditions are not met, the drink will spoil the very next day after the bottles are opened.
