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The 8 Best Wine Stoppers

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Best wine stoppers

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Sometimes, finishing a bottle of wine is just not in the cards. So you recork it, set it on the counter or in the fridge, and come back to it when you’re ready. If more than a day or two has passed, you might smell or taste the wine and wonder if it’s still OK to drink. Using the right stopper or preservation tool can help extend the life of many different wines, minimizing waste and worry in the process. Here are the best wine stoppers to keep bottles fresh for days, weeks or even years.

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Works well

  • Comes with multiple stoppers

Cons
  • Lack of instructions

Chances are that a majority of sommeliers and wine enthusiasts will recommend Vacu Vin as their go-to for sealing wine bottles. Victoria James, Beverage Director at Cote in New York, is no exception. “Their vacuum seal really does help preserve delicate aromatics and flavors that are otherwise lost,” she says. Anita Musi, Fine Wine Specialist for specialty importer Evaton, agrees: “If you don’t disturb the wine, it can usually last three to four days with this stopper, depending on the structure of the wine—lighter wines will last about three days, while a heavier red will last closer to four days.”

These particular stoppers are relatively easy to use and double as pourers when not sealed. To use, place the stopper in the bottle and use the pump to vacuum out the air from inside (this helps slow oxidation). Plus, Vacu Vin lays claim to the first vacuum wine saver on the market.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

At first, the product can be a bit confusing to use, as there are no instructions (only simple cartoon drawings on the side of the box with no words). I twisted the rubber piece in as best as I could and pumped the Vacuvin until I felt it couldn’t go anymore  – as far as I saw, there weren’t instructions on how many times to pump. I just did it until the pumping became more strenuous, which I imagined meant that the air was out of the bottle. It seems pretty sealed. 

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I used the same bottle of wine, Castelsina Chianti ($9.99), for each trial. On Tuesday, I poured ⅓ to ½ of the contents out from each bottle of wine so as to ensure that each bottle had the same amount of wine / empty space in it. I sealed each bottle with a stopper and revisited all of the wines again on Thursday afternoon to retaste. 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jam

Initial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

Out of all of the stoppers tested, the wine was most equivalent to its original smell and taste with the VacuVin. I always kind of deemed this product to be a joke, but I’m pleasantly surprised. The nose is laden with ripe red fruit flavors and pretty equivalent to its original taste on the palate (dark fruit, astringent), albeit, with slightly less astringency. I actually think this product helped the wine! 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

Super easy. I would imagine that the pump doesn’t need to be washed frequently (if at all), as no wine goes into it, and the stoppers are likely dishwasher safe. 

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

This is a great product and I’m pleasantly proved wrong. The wine is still fresh and tastes great. At just over 20 bucks a pop for a vacuum with four stoppers, the product is an absolute steal. It works the best and allows you to seal off four different bottles at a time. Winner!

VacuVin

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 6 inches | Color: Black

Read Next: The Best Wine Aerators

Pros
  • Preserves wine the longest

  • Excellent quality

Cons
  • Expensive

Coravin's wine preservation system is the ultimate tool for maximizing your wine's life. Unlike most traditional wine stoppers, the system lets you enjoy wine without opening the bottle at all. Before using, make sure there’s an inert gas capsule in the chamber, then insert the needle into the cork, tip the bottle and align the spout with your wine glass, and push the trigger to start pouring (to stop pouring, just tip the bottle back upright). The system works by using inert gas to access the wine through the cork without ever pulling it out, meaning the wine inside is never exposed to oxygen, and once the needle is removed, the cork will reseal itself.

There are many different models available, but the Coravin 3 features the brand’s SmartClamp for easy angling when inserting and removing the needle. It’s also one of the more reasonably-priced options compared to other models. This system comes with two gas capsules and one screw cap.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

Setting up the Coravin is pretty easy. Simply twist in a cartridge, puncture the bottle with the needle, and push down, then press the button up top to puncture the bottle and create a hole. I drained the same amount of wine out via the needle as the other bottles. Seeing as the cork is still in the bottle, it’s very sealtight.

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jam

Initial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

On the nose, the wine is showing brighter aromatics – cherry, strawberry, red currants. On the palate, the wine has definitely evolved, but in a good way. The darker fruit notes have softened and the astringency has lessened. I’ve had many positive experiences using the Coravin product in the past, but this one is simply excellent.  

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

Yes, it’s quite simple. Simply let a warm stream of water flow through the spout of the Coravin and voila. The company disclaims to never use a dishwasher to clean any parts of the Coravin. 

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Overall, the experience with this product was great. I will say that the wine tasted quite a bit different than when I first opened, however, it changed for the better. This has not always been my experience with the Coravin, in that my past trials have always been pretty positive, though the wine has been more similar to its original taste. Not complaining here, as the wine was pretty gross at first.  I’ve Coravined bottles many times and revisited them up to a month later and had the wine still taste great. However, after about a month, it’s time to pop the cork, finish the bottle, and chuck whatever’s left down the drain (or your gullet).

Coravin 3

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Black | Dimensions: 3.86 x 1.94 x 8.46 inches | Color: Stainless steel and plastic

Pros
  • Works very well

  • Sealtight

Cons
  • Expensive

Le Creuset, known for their sturdy and aesthetically pleasing craftsmanship, offers a metal stopper that preserves Champagnes and other sparkling wines. Designed in France, this tool uses a switch-style valve and an airtight, food-safe rubber seal to lock in bubbles. To use, screw the curved base onto the crown of any standard bottle (this works for still wines, too) and simply flip the switch to seal or reopen. Note that this stopper is hand wash only.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

At first, the stopper confused me, as I was trying to put it over the top of the bottle, as one would with most stoppers. However, this one needs to be applied from the side of the bottle. Once on the bottle, simply push down on the top to seal the wine. In the hand, the stopper is quite heavy. It feels like it is of high quality. 

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I opened a bottle of Prosecco on Monday around 3PM. I am revisiting the bottle on Thursday morning. I emptied about a third of the bottle and placed the seal on it. The bottle has been kept in the fridge since Monday. 

Wow! I am very impressed. The wine was significantly less effervescent upon pouring into the glass, though there were definitely still bubbles. However, on the palate, the integrity of the wine was maintained. The wine still felt very bubbly and fruit-driven in the mouth. I am super impressed with this product, although it is expensive. 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

This stopper is very sturdy and easy to clean. I imagine it’s dishwasher safe, though I’d simply rinse it off by hand.

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Overall, I was very impressed with this product. The integrity of the wine was maintained and the product itself feels of very high quality. However, I will say that it is quite expensive – $45 a pop!

Le Creuset

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Metal with black nickel finish | Dimensions: 2" x 4" x 4 1/2" | Color: Black 

Read Next: The Best Wine Openers, According to Experts

Though monogrammed products can risk looking cheesy, this personalized, handmade stopper offers a stylish alternative. The simple, yet effective wooden corks feature a plethora of modern and beautiful engraving options—you can add names, dates, messages, and even custom logos or designs to them. Whether you're looking for a gift or a creative favor for weddings or other events, these thoughtful and budget-friendly wine stoppers are the way to go.

Pros
  • Versatile (made for both still and sparkling wines)

  • Durable

Cons
  • Pricier than others in the same category 

“I like having two different styles of wine stoppers to choose from, depending on how long the wine needs to be preserved,” says Musi, sharing that one of her top choices is the Rabbit Stainless Steel Sealer, namely for wines she plans to reopen the next day. “It has really good quality material and doesn’t allow any air to get into the bottle,” she adds. This stopper's ergonomic design and reliable construction offers great value for a low price tag, and it's also quite easy to use—just place it on the bottle’s opening, push down and twist until sealed. This stopper is hand wash only.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

I first twisted on the stopper and it did not feel sealtight at all. I then realized that in order to properly use the stopper, it’s best to hold the silver part in place and twist the black portion up top. In doing this, I felt the bottle seal. It feels tight.

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I used the same bottle of wine, Castelsina Chianti ($9.99), for each trial. On Tuesday, I poured ⅓ to ½ of the contents out from each bottle of wine so as to ensure that each bottle had the same amount of wine / empty space in it. I sealed each bottle with a stopper and revisited all of the wines again on Thursday afternoon to retaste. 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jam

Initial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

On the nose, there is still tons of fruit to be detected. The palate is still pretty jammy and shows more fruit flavors than dark. The finish is still a bit astringent, but I think a bit of oxidation helped here. I’m impressed. 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

Unlike the other stoppers, which have silicone parts that jut out, the closure on this one is encapsulated by stainless steel, likely as this is for still or sparkling wine. It’s a bit harder to clean, but still relatively easy and very sturdy.

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Overall, I think the product worked great. There are quite a few negative reviews on Amazon say that it “worked at first” and then doesn’t anymore, though I can’t imagine that would be the case. There also seems to be quite a bit of confusion around how to use it – the consumer isn’t supposed to just pop it on, but rather twist it open, push on, then seal. When used properly, I think it worked great and merits the price. I’d be interested to test it on sparkling wine next. 

Rabbit

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Stainless Steel | Dimensions: 4 x 3.63 x 2.25 inches | Color: Black and steel

Read Next: The Best Wine Glasses, According to Experts

Pros
  • Maintained wine to a certain level

  • Decorative

Cons
  • Too expensive for quality

  • Gaudy

Add a touch of design to any wine bottle with these chic, fun glass stoppers by MDRN Home. Both elegant and functional, the stoppers have three styles and two color options to choose from: a diamond, cat or dog shape in either smoky gray or clear. They are also eco-friendly and feature a silicone seal for effortless recorking.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

Beyond this cork’s bizarre design, all you have to do is simply finagle the silicone portion in as best as possible. I got the cork in as far as I can, though I’m not very confident that it’s as seal tight as the others. Time will tell!

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I used the same bottle of wine, Castelsina Chianti ($9.99), for each trial. On Tuesday, I poured ⅓ to ½ of the contents out from each bottle of wine so as to ensure that each bottle had the same amount of wine / empty space in it. I sealed each bottle with a stopper and revisited all of the wines again on Thursday afternoon to retaste. 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jam

Initial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

On the nose, the wine is definitely less fruit-forward and jammy, showing more stewed red fruit notes. On the palate, the wine has lost a lot of its dark fruit flavors, yet there is still some fruit up front. However, the finish is quite astringent and bitter. 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

Yes. The website doesn’t offer any information aside from “easy to clean,” but I simply washed the silicone part by hand. 

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Personally, I think the design is pretty gaudy and I can’t imagine why anyone would want this on their wine bottle, but to each their own. Objectively, the wine didn’t hold up very well, and for $26 a stopper, I find it to be very overpriced. Next. 

MDRN

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Pros
  • Very affordable

  • Comes with two stoppers

  • Preserves wine well

  • Easy to use

  • Great design

Cons
  • Not as reliable as Coravin or VacuVin

The size of a wine stopper is an often overlooked, yet important feature—fitting a recorked bottle inside your fridge can sometimes be tricky, especially if you’re storing it in the door or up on a shelf. OXO’s expanding wine bottle stoppers are the perfect solution to tight fridge spaces, thanks to their smart design and slim disc-like tops. Best of all, these dishwasher-safe stoppers expand within the bottle when the top is pulled up, sealing tightly enough to prevent leaks when bottles are placed on their sides.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

Aside from the Coravin, this stopper feels the most secure of them all. The silicone bit is seal tight and goes in pretty smoothly, then the extra push from the stainless steel portion on top ensures an even tighter fit. I feel the most confident in this stopper thus far.

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I used the same bottle of wine, Castelsina Chianti ($9.99), for each trial. On Tuesday, I poured ⅓ to ½ of the contents out from each bottle of wine so as to ensure that each bottle had the same amount of wine / empty space in it. I sealed each bottle with a stopper and revisited all of the wines again on Thursday afternoon to retaste. 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jam

Initial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

On the nose, the wine is certainly less faint (though perhaps I’m using a lower-quality glass), though there are still some ripe red fruit notes to be detected. Fruit is a bit stewed on the nose, but still a bit of freshness. On the palate, the wine is basically the same as two days ago – if anything, less astringent on the finish (albeit, a bit metallic). Perhaps the bit of oxidation helped here. Fruit is primarily dark, moving to red, and the taste is pretty much the same. I’m impressed. 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

These stoppers are super easy to clean by hand. I would imagine that they are also dishwasher safe. The product is very sturdy.

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Overall, I think this is a great product. The wine was as evolved as to be expected yet held up for the most part. The stopper is also super well designed, in that it’s flat top barely adds any height to the bottle, meaning that it’s relatively easy to store – and at $10.99 for a 2-pack, this product is an absolute steal. Recommend. 

OXO

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Stainless steel and silicone | Dimensions: 1.6 x 2.3 x 4.75 inches | Color: Black and steel 

Read Next: The Best Electric Wine Openers

Pros
  • Gift set

  • Nice packaging

Cons
  • Very expensive

  • Gaudy

  • Did not preserve wine well

This bottle stopper and coaster set from award-winning artist Michael Aram is a collector’s dream. Backed by a team of over 200 artisans, Aram's beautiful, sculpturesque pieces will dress up any bottle, countertop or display case. The designs from the Calla Lily collection are a standout, perfect for any gifting or gathering scenario. With all handmade pieces, this collection is specifically inspired by a photo of a woman holding a bouquet of lilies—one that stuck out to Aram for its contemporary romanticism.

Open a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and pour out some wine to taste (to compare against). Seal the wine with the stopper. Is it easy to use? Does it seal tightly/effectively?

Although pretty, this stopper definitely feels like the least reliable of the bunch. I twisted the stainless steel portion in as best as I could – thankfully, the piece has rubber / silicone grips, which will definitely ensure a tighter seal than just a stainless steel closure alone. I’m skeptical about the efficacy of this piece.

Wait a day or two to re-open the sealed wine with the stopper. How easily does it release? Taste the wine and see if there are any oxidized flavors. If sparkling wine, did it retain its bubbles? 

NOTE: I used the same bottle of wine, Castelsina Chianti ($9.99), for each trial. On Tuesday, I poured ⅓ to ½ of the contents out from each bottle of wine so as to ensure that each bottle had the same amount of wine / empty space in it. I sealed each bottle with a stopper and revisited all of the wines again on Thursday afternoon to retaste. 

Initial nose of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Jammy red and dark fruits, cherry juice, raspberry jamInitial taste of the wine (Tuesday afternoon): Dark fruited and full-bodied, blackberries, cassis, black cherries, hint of damp earth, pretty astringent on the finish.

First and foremost, this product is gaudy as hell and looks ridiculous on the bottle. Even if this is one’s aesthetic, the topper is so large, it adds an immense amount of height to the bottle, making it annoying to store. When first opened, the wine didn’t let out an air release sound (as with the other stoppers), so I was a bit skeptical. The nose and palate are both overly evolved, with the wine showing metallic flavors and astringency on the finish. 

Is the stopper easy to clean? Dishwasher safe? How sturdy is this product? 

The product is sturdy and easy to clean. I’d recommend handwashing.

Overall, what did you think of this product? 

Personally, I think this product looks ridiculous and isn’t at all functional. The only thing worse than its use is its price point! When I saw the $125 mark, I nearly gasped. Granted, it comes with an equally gaudy coaster too… but seriously? Pass. 

Michael Aram

Liquor.com / Timothy Fatato

Material: Natural brass and stainless steel | Dimensions: 5.5 inches | Color: Gold

Final Verdict

Overall, the Coravin (view at Amazon) is by far the superior product, though it certainly demands the highest price. The VacuVin (view at Amazon) comes in second place, and at just $20 a pop, the product definitely shows an exuberant quality-to-price ratio. For simple closures, the OXO (view at Amazon) and Rabbit (view at Amazon) are best. The two most “decorative” stoppers performed the worst out of the bunch. 

What to Look For

Think about how long you’ll be revisiting your wine (as well as your budget) and take it from there. If you’re looking to make high-end bottles last over a few weeks, then the Coravin is your best bet. For simple closures that won’t break the bank, the OXO and Rabbit closures offer a great quality-to-price ratio, the latter also equipped to preserve sparkling wine. 

FAQs

Do wine stoppers help to preserve wine?

The quality of wine stoppers is highly variable from product to product. Certain products (Coravin, VacuVin, Oxo, Rabbit) are much more reliable than others. Stoppers that look more aesthetically pleasing than functional are likely less useful than those crafted for purpose. 

Are wine stoppers better than resealing with the bottle's cork?

The answer is highly dependent on the stopper at hand. For those looking to preserve freshness over a longer period of time, a Coravin will absolutely be the better choice. However, natural cork is likely a better (or equal) preserver of a wine than certain stoppers. (Author’s note: I’ve personally found that natural corks work just fine, however, I usually place the bottle on the ground and push the cork into it as far as possible – so far, usually, that I need a corkscrew to reopen the wine again the next day.) For those looking for quick and simple preservation techniques, the VacuVin and Rabbit are great choices. 

How do you clean a wine stopper?

Each wine stopper’s cleaning instructions will be unique. Basic rubber / silicone stoppers can be washed with soap and water. However, other products like the Coravin require a bit more TLC. Although many products claim to be dishwasher safe, we always recommend washing by hand.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Though she doesn’t often have leftover wine to store, wine and spirits writer Céline Bossart understands the importance of preserving a wine to both extend its life and minimize waste. And thanks to Victoria James and Anita Musi, this list brings together perspectives from different corners of the industry for all types of wine drinkers.

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