How can I keep leftover Champagne or Prosecco bubbly? Do Champagne stoppers work?

Ask Dr Vinny

Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.

Dear Dr. Vinny,

Is there any way to keep leftover Champagne or Prosecco bubbly? Do Champagne stoppers work?

—Jerry, South Carolina

Dear Jerry,

I have a couple of Champagne stoppers on hand with a rubber inner ring and two hinges that latch on to the bottle. They work quite well—I can get an extra day or two of life out of a bottle of bubbly without losing much carbonation.

Unfortunately, they don’t work on every bottle shape, depending on the size and placement of the lip near the bottle opening. Stoppers generally cost about $5 to $10, though the cheaper ones can have sharp metal edges, and I’ve cut myself before.

I should warn you that while these stoppers can work, they cannot keep a bottle from leaking if you store it on its side. You’ll need to make some room in your refrigerator so the bottle is stored upright.

—Dr. Vinny

Ask Dr. Vinny closures sparkling-wines storage

More In Dr. Vinny

Why don’t wine shops store bottles at cellar temperature?

Most wine shops store bottles at room temperature, but is that a problem? Get our buying …

Mar 3, 2025

Do white wines have tannins? How can you tell?

We explain why white wines have less tannins than red wines, how they contribute to flavor …

Feb 25, 2025

Is it OK to yell in a restaurant when a wineglass breaks?

We offer wine etiquette advice on how to behave with good manners while dining out.

Feb 18, 2025

What affordable sparkling wines are good alternatives to Champagne?

Get our favorite value bubbly picks from around the world, including Cava, Prosecco, …

Feb 10, 2025

Can I let a chilled bottle of Champagne warm up, then store it at room temperature?

We discuss ideal sparkling wine storage conditions and whether it’s safe to let your bubbly …

Feb 3, 2025

Can I keep wine bottles in a cedar-lined closet with mothballs?

While ambient smells—from cedar, mothballs or anything else—shouldn’t penetrate wine corks …

Jan 27, 2025