Storing an open bottle of Madeira question

[Andy Velebil]

Since I am a newbie with Madeira I had a question about storing Madeira in an open decanter.

I know Madeira is quite robust and can last in bottle for months after opening, but is there any harm to leaving it in an open decanter for say a week or so. By open decanter i mean one that has a loose fitting glass top that keeps the bugs and dust out, but is not a tight seal as a cork would be.

Thanks

[Derek T.]

Andy,

I think there are two answers to your question:

(1) drink faster and you will not have a problem

(2) over the course of a week I can't see any difference in air exposure between a half empty corked (not TCA) bottle and a stoppered or open decanter. I have read things about good quality Madiera living for months/years after opening so I am sure 1 week can't make a difference.

Derek

[Roy Hersh]

Until a year ago, a bottle of Madeira NEVER lasted past the first night. Now I buy more sipping Madeiras and often times, leave in an open and exposed decanter while writing and reading on line. You have zero to worry about with a week's time.

Coincidentaly, I was on the phone today with one of our "lurkers" from Pennsylvania and she asked a similar question. Hopefully she'll post here one of these days, as she has a fine palate and a sharp wit.

[Marco D.]

Andy,

I don't think you really need to worry -- unless the decanter is lead crystal... and even then, I'm not sure if a week will be enough time for lead to leach into the wine.

I've heard experts mention that they stored about a half inch of Madeira in a decanter for months/years with no ill effects.

[Jay Powers]

I have found that Madeira will change in the decanter, but that most of that change (and it's typically for the better), will happen within ~2 days.

After that I have never had a bottle (or decanter) open for more than ~3 weeks. But in that time, although the wine changes slightly (after the first couple of days, in which time it can be more dramatic), there were no negative changes, and in fact it's fun to try to track them.

I have never had one go "bad" in three weeks.

Jay

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks guys, it's been open for 3 days now and I just posted a TN in the Virtual Tasting section.