Popping a bottle of wine used to be a commitment. You either had to finish the whole thing or pour the rest out. That's because once wine is exposed to the air, it starts to spoil almost immediately. And, no, you can't just pop the cork back in and expect it to stay fresh (ask any college student, they've tried). But for all the folks that live by the motto "waste not, want not", pouring quality vino down the drain is an abominable move. Fortunately, there are wine preservation systems that allow imbibers to enjoy a glass of Pinot noir without dumping the rest down the sink. Read on to discover our favorite such systems, ranging from the best on a budget to the premium pick. Coravin Model Two Premium Coravin is KingThis easy-to-use and highly effective system from Coravin sets the gold standard for a wine preservation system that works indefinitely.Best OverallFind on Amazon Coravin is revolutionizing the wine game. Their easy-to-use and stylish system preserves wine indefinitely. The secret? The bottle isn’t even opened in the first place. Instead, this system passes a Teflon-coated needle through the cork with the gentle push of the handle to ensure that no air ever permeates your aged-to-perfection Cabernet. Then, as each glass is poured, the Coravin replaces the volume in the bottle with inert argon gas. It might sound complicated, but it’s really quite simple to use. And with a sleek and space-saving design, the Coravin looks great in your wine cabinet. Wine enthusiasts, eat your hearts out. Or in this case, drink. Responsibly, of course. Pros Includes two gas canisters that are good for up to 30 glasses. Smooth to operate and doesn’t take up too much space. Excellent price is a bargain considering the amount of wine it will save from dumping. Cons Only works with Coravin-brand gas canisters. Coravin Model One Advanced The System That Started it AllThough it's considered a step down from the Model Two, the Model One Advanced from Coravin is another worthy wine preservation system that's a bit more affordable than the latest-and-greatest options. Runner UpFind on Amazon It should come as no surprise that Coravin made it onto our list a second time. Their systems are well-designed and arguably the most effective that money can buy. And although we give their Model One Advanced System the “Best Runner Up” award, it’s still a fantastic option in its own right. For starters, the Model One sports a more affordable price tag. And although not quite as stylish as its successor, this pick features the same easy operation and reliability. Better yet, the Model One is also one of the lightest systems on the market, so it’s great for tossing in a picnic basket or day pack. Pros Affordable price compared to the newer Coravin models. Light in weight and easy to operate. The sturdy, grippy design is surprisingly durable. Cons Not quite as sleek and stylish as the later models. Like the Model Two, this one requires the Coravin-brand canisters. Ivation Wine Gift Set The Gift That Keeps on GivingFor those looking for a gift that's both fancy looking and highly practical, we suggest this gorgeous preservation system from Ivation.Best Gift SetFind on Amazon The best gifts are the kind that get used for years and years. Sure, you could give that special someone a bottle of wine, but once the whole thing’s been guzzled and tossed, they’re likely to forget about the gesture. That’s why we recommend this beautiful gift set from Ivation, which is both eye-catching and super useful. With an included electric opener, an aerator, glass stoppers, foil cutters, and a handsome charging base, the entire kit is a welcome toolbox for any wine-lover. The crown jewel, of course, is the preserver system itself. Using an electric vacuum seal and a tight cork sealer, this system ensures that your wine tastes just as good weeks later. Pros Vacuum sealer is effective at preserving wine for a couple of weeks after uncorking. The electric bottle opener is crazy fast and easy to use. The charging station keeps everything charged and ready-to-go and is adorned with fancy blue LEDs. Cons Although this pick is one of the best in the league, vacuum sealers obviously won’t preserve wine for quite as long as the argon-gas systems. Vacu Vin Wine Saver Suck it Up with Vacu VinSuck out the air, pop in a stopper, and preserve your wine with the Vacu Vin wine saver, our favorite system for those strapped for cash and in need of something inexpensive.Best on a BudgetFind on Amazon We get it – most of these wine preservation systems are expensive. But for those that want to save some money, you can still save your wine, too. This super-affordable preservation system from Vacu Vin uses a vacuum pump to remove air from the bottle, and it includes a pack of six rubber stoppers. And although it’s not as fancy as the other options on our list, the Vacu Vin still does a good job. In fact, you can keep a bottle fresh for up to two weeks with this system. Best of all, it only takes a few seconds to use. Simply replace the cork with the stopper, place the pump on top, give it a few pumps until you hear a pop, and you’re ready to go. When a preservation system this easy to use and inexpensive comes along, we say grab one while you can. Pros A fraction of the price of most other systems, the Vacu Vin is surprisingly effective and durable. Compact size is perfect for taking along on picnics and brunches. Pumping out the air is actually kind of fun and delivers a satisfying pop when it’s been fully vacuumed. Cons Length of time that the wine remains fresh will depend on storage, so “up to two weeks” is just a rough estimate. Wine Squirrel Wine Preserving Decanter No Air? No ProblemThe Wine Squirrel is a unique system that caps the wine entirely, leaving your vino perfectly preserved and ready to be served.Most Unique DesignFind on Amazon There are a lot of workarounds for preserving wine after the cork has been popped. Some systems pump out the air, while others replace the air with inert gases. The Wine Squirrel, however, takes a different approach entirely. This system eliminates air entirely by capping the wine right at the surface of the liquid. To use it, simply pour leftover wine into the crystal decanter and insert the seal on top. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy your wine again, just pop off the seal and pour away. As the Wine Squirrel proves, the most brilliant designs are sometimes the simplest. Pros Beautiful hand-blown crystal decanter is space-saving and pours perfectly. Another easy-to-use system, this option’s unique design eliminates the possibility of contamination. Preserves wine for up to four weeks, doubling that of most vacuum systems. Cons You can really only preserve one bottle at a time. Frequently Asked Questions Do the Coravin systems work with synthetic corks? Although you can still give it a try, it is unlikely the synthetic cork will reseal once the needle is removed. Real corks can expand to reseal the aperture created by the needle, but synthetic corks don’t have the same properties. In other words, you can still use the Coravin system on a bottle with a synthetic cork, but we can’t promise that oxygen won’t leak in over time. How long will wine stay fresh when using a preservation system? Obviously the different systems have different estimates for how long they preserve the wine. These estimates are quite variable and depend largely on the way the wine is stored. There are a number of external factors that will affect the longevity of a wine’s freshness. For example, both red and white wines will remain fresher for longer if they are kept in the fridge. If that’s not an option, make sure that they are stored in a cool, dry place with a steady temperature. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Pet Food Storage Containers Read more The Best Dog Deshedding Tools Read more The Best Dog Food Storage Containers in 2024 Read more