They really work well and the initial investment is paid back by the first opened bottle saved from an untasty demise. Generally, white wines treated like this will last two to three days and reds up to a week. If kept in the fridge life is lengthened even further. Fill it with half the contents of the full bottle, put a cork in and keep it in the fridge until you want to finish it off. Storing Wine Long Term Wine demands to be kept in a consistently cool, dark, vibration free place.
Cellars are ideal, but pretty rare in New Zealand.
Acceptable alternatives that will get you through a couple of years are to store in a cool closet or under the shady side of your house. Never expose wine to temperatures hotter than room temperature for long. Anything exposed to light or stored at room temperature should be drunk up within a year at the outside. The sooner the better. Serving Temperatures Temperature can kill or make a wine, just as it can kill or make the dish it is served with.