A controversial and ambiguous decision, or whether it is possible to store wine in plastic bottles
When purchasing or making homemade wines yourself, plastic bottles are sometimes used.
It is necessary to know in advance whether the use of such containers is justified and safe.
I will tell you in the article whether it is possible to store wine in plastic bottles.
Content
Should I keep it in a plastic container?
Using plastic for wine is a controversial and controversial decision. This material is not 100% suitable for contact with alcoholic beverages. Even for a homemade product, this option is not the best.
The structure of plastic itself cannot be compared with glass. The peculiarity of synthetic material is the ability to allow certain gases to pass through.
Besides, wine contains alcohol, which can come into contact with container polymers. This will inevitably affect the taste and may even be harmful to health.
Which one is suitable?
Most winemakers are categorically against using plastic bottles, mainly due to the characteristics of the material and the possibility of it reacting with the contents. In this regard, you cannot use the first plastic containers you come across.
For short-term storage of wines, the use of plastic is acceptable. but only if there is a certain marking:
- PETE;
- PET;
- HDPE.
In addition, there are numbers on the plastic. It is allowed to use bottles marked “1” and “2” in a triangle formed by arrows. If numbers 3-7 are indicated, such containers should not be used.
It is also important to pay attention to the percentage of alcohol in an alcoholic drink.. If it is up to 10-14%, it is possible to use plastic bottles, but if the strength of the wine drink reaches 18-20%, it is no longer advisable.
In addition, the plastic should not have dents or other damage. The containers themselves must be clean and dry.
How long is it stored?
The shelf life of wine in plastic bottles is significantly lower than in traditional glass bottles. It lasts up to 3 months subject to strict adherence to all rules.
Even a tightly closed bottle like this can allow gases to pass through, which inevitably leads to oxidation. As a result, the quality of the wine will decrease. If you plan to store a wine drink for a long time, it is not advisable to use plastic.
Rules for storing draft drinks
In order for wine bottled in plastic packaging to be stored well and not spoil, it is necessary to follow all storage rules.
Temperature
The optimal temperature for storing wines is 12°C. The permissible range of values is from +5°С to +16°С.
Lighting
Like wine in glass, wine in plastic is very sensitive to light.
Besides, plastic may heat up when exposed to sunlight, which will only accelerate the oxidation processes in the drink and provoke chemical reactions between it and the polymer.
To prevent spoilage of the product, it is very important to keep it in the dark.
Humidity
For storing wine The average indoor humidity level should be maintained at around 70%. This is because plastic bottles are not completely sealed, allowing gases to circulate.
Where to place it?
Cool rooms with protection from light and stable temperature conditions can be used to store wine.
Suitable for these purposes:
- equipped cellars,
- basements,
- pantries and even a refrigerator.
7 stages of container preparation
In order to use plastic bottles for wine, you need not only to check the markings, but also to disinfect the containers.
Preparation should include the following steps:
- Rinse the bottles with water at a temperature of about 25-30°C.
- Dry. If there are foreign odors from the polymer, the container should not be used for wine.
- Prepare a solution for disinfection. To do this, you need to dissolve 1 ml of iodine in 2.5 liters of cold clean water.
- Pour the solution into containers and shake.
- Leave for an hour, shaking occasionally. If you pour the solution right under the lid, you don’t have to shake it.
- Soak the lids in the same solution for an hour.
- Drain the solution from the bottles and remove the caps.
Video on the topic of the article
Is it possible to store wine in plastic containers? The video will tell you:
Conclusion
Storing wine in plastic bottles is a method that can be used in extreme cases, and with restrictions. In this case, it is especially important to follow all the rules for locating product stocks.
