Calling ALL wine experts:

I think you're asking if there is a difference between a Vacu-vin and these nitrogen charged cruvinet units.

Night and day.

Vacu-vins (and similar units) slow down oxidation, but the wines will oxidize over time. Much better than just sticking the cork in, but it doesn't compare to the nitrogen units. The nitrogen units have a pressurized layer of nitrogen over the wines and they will not oxidize (I suppose they may over a LONG period.) Translation: fresh wines for long periods of time.

I won't order wine by the glass from a restaurant unless I see a nitrogen charged cruvinet behind the bar.

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I intend to die in a tavern; let the wine be placed near my dying mouth, so that when the choirs of angels come, they may say, "God be merciful to this drinker!"
Walter Map [Mapes] c. 1140 - c. 1210
De Nugis Curialium

Thanx IL DUCE.

Anyone else?

Save your money and stock up on 375 ml. bottles!

P.S. - I do not fit the "expert" description you were calling for, but I have discussed this dilemma with many a wine drinking friend and found 1/2 bottles to be a great decision.

What's a wine "expert"???

I have been drinking and collecting wine for over 20 years. Does that make me an expert or someone with a drinking problem

I'll tell you the problem....I can't afford to buy all the wines I want...that is the real problem.

I've found the 1/2 bottle trick to be very effective (It's also a good way of limiting how much you drink in a night if you fill up the half bottle BEFORE you start to drink, and put it away!)

I agree. As my wife doesn't drink red wine, and I can't afford to have a hangover a few times a week, I I fill a 375ml bottle immediately after opening a 750ml. Fill it to almost touching the cork. It will last a few days in perfect condition. Remember, the wine was exposed to air and sloshed around, so don't assume you now have a half bottle of the wine that can be cellered or even stored for a few weeks. This works the best and I have tried everything.

I open it, I finish it. No problem. You guys are lucky you don't live in Russia where if you open a bottle of vodka it must be finished! It is considered poor manners and insulting to the host not to do so.

"...soon they'll be bleary eyed under a keg of wine, Down where the drunkards roll." Richard Thompson.

For me personally, the investment of a cruvinet unit is a bit much. Then again, I usually do not have more than one bottle opened at a time and I do not typically have the bottle open for more than 3 days. I have found the Private Preserve wine preserver to be quite adequate. Easy to use, 120 plus uses per can, and just a few dollars investment.

Some excellent suggestions. I'll go with the 1/2 bottle method.....until I'll can get a couple guys to go in with me on a GROUP BUY.