Some people have no problem using leftover wine in the next day or so—typically by drinking it! But if you’re just a social drinker and not likely to drink the leftovers by yourself, here are some suggestions:

1. MAKE A SPRITZER. If there’s not enough left for a full glass of wine, add club soda for a spritzer. If you like sweet drinks, make a “winetail”—a wine cocktail—by adding ginger ale or lemon-lime soda.

2. DEGLAZE A PAN. It’s easy to make a delicious wine-accented sauce with pan juices. Here’s how to deglaze.

3. FLAVOR SAUCES, SOUPS & STEWS. Wine adds rich flavor to recipes. Match the wine to the dish: white wine (including sparkling wine) with clear or creamy soups and sauces, red wine with tomato or beef-based soups, stews and sauces. You can use either with chicken and most vegetables. Reduce the wine or by boiling for 10 minutes to burn off the alcohol.

4. MAKE SALAD DRESSING. Yes, add wine to vinaigrette, along with wine vinegar. Using a 3:1 proportion of olive oil to vinegar, split the tablespoon of vinegar into 2 teaspoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon wine (match the type of wine vinegar to the type of wine). Season with salt and pepper to taste and some optional minced shallot.

5. ASSORTED RECIPES. Just look at what you’re cooking to see how wine could fit in. We love to sauté mushrooms and onions with a splash of wine; we toss it into poaching liquid for seafood or chicken, pears and other fruits. You can also add it to a marinade.

6. FREEZE IT. If you can’t think of what to do with the wine today, just pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. When the cubes are frozen, store them in a plastic freezer bag. You can then use them for all the purposes above and more—like adding to sangria or chilling down a too-warm glass of wine from the next bottle you open.
 
Have additional tips? Let us know!