How long will red wine keep after it’s been opened?
After dinner, you opened a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and still had half of it left.
What is the shelf life of red wine after it’s been opened?
What is the best way of storing wine to preserve its quality and taste over time?
This article will tell you how to determine if a wine is old, the shelf life of different red wines after opening, and the ideal storage conditions for both unopened and opened bottles.
How long can an opened bottle of red wine last?
An opened red wine typically lasts for 3 to 6 days if you place it in a cool, dark space with a cork or a wine stopper. If you don’t have a cool, dark room for your leftover wine, you can keep it in the fridge. (We will discuss refrigerating red wine later.)
Don’t you have a spare stopper, or did you lose the cork? Grab some plastic wrap, and use a rubberband to seal it.
What happens to red wine after you uncork it?
Uncorking the bottle exposes it to an influx of oxygen. Your opened wine will age and evolve faster. Your open wine starts to lose its aromas and flavor more quickly.
The body of the red wine and its tannin level will determine how long it can be kept fresh.
We’ll see how long different red wines can be consumed after they are opened when kept in a cool area away from direct sunlight.
Opened bottles of light red wines (like Barbera Grenache and Pinot Noir) stay fresh for two to three days. Light reds are lower in alcohol (12.5%) and have less tannins. The wine’s aroma and flavor will not last as long as compared to medium-bodied or full-bodied wines.
Medium Reds: Due to their higher tannin content and alcohol content of 12.5% to 13.5%, medium reds such as Merlot, Nebbiolo, and Shiraz will last 3 – 5 days after opening.
Reds with full body: Full-bodied open red wines (like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon) will keep their taste and remain fresh for up to 6 days. The amount of alcohol in the wine (13.5% and more), as well as the tannins, are responsible for this.
How long do other wines last after opening?
We’ll see how long you can keep other types of wine after uncorking them.
White Wine
White wine stays drinkable for 3 – 5 days when kept corked in a fridge. Full-bodied white wines like Viognier, Montrachet wines, Pinot Grigio, and oaked Chardonnay will oxidize quicker than red wines because they were exposed to more oxygen during their aging process before being bottled.
Sparkling Wine
Opened sparkling wine lasts for 1 – 3 days when kept corked in a fridge.
Unfortunately, sparkling wine like Prosecco and sparkling dessert wine Asti Spumante has a short lifespan. The pressure that keeps bubbles flowing in the bottle disappears when you open it. Buy a Sparkline Wine Stopper to keep the fizz going in your sparkling wine.
Fortified Wine
Port, Sherry, and other fortified wines can stay open for 28 days when kept corked in a cool, dark place. They have a longer lifespan because of the added brandy. Although these bottles look amazing on your shelves, the exposure to light and heat will make them lose their vibrant flavors.
Rose Wine
Keep your opened rose wine corked in a fridge for 5 – 7 days. You may notice a subtle change in taste, and the fruity character of the wine will slowly disappear after a week.
What’s the best method to preserve the taste of an opened bottle of wine?
How to store an opened bottle of red wine
You must close an open bottle with a screw cap, stopper, or bottle stopper after you’ve poured yourself that glass of Pinot Noir. It helps it stay “fresher” for longer.
Store your opened red wine in a dark, cool place.
Decant the Bottle into A Smaller Bottle and Seal It. This will reduce the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the wine.
After opening red wine, can you freeze or refrigerate it?
If you store an open bottle in the fridge, it is at a controlled, cool temperature and in a dark area. The cooler temperature will also reduce oxygenation.
You can store a red wine bottle that is not yet finished in your fridge if you do not have a chiller. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to an hour before serving.
The leftover wine will last up to six months in your freezer. This is perfect if you plan to use it later to enhance a recipe.
Are you wondering if the Merlot half-bottle from three days ago can still be enjoyed for another glass?
How Can You Tell if a Wine is Bad?
Pour a small amount into your glass, and then look for three things.
The color of the wine
Has your wine lost some color or acquired a brownish edge?
This is due to the increased levels of acetic acids (also called vinegar taint), which are caused by the fermentation of the wine or wine spoilage. If your wine doesn’t look appetizing, then it isn’t good.
What does it smell like?
Are the aromas of fruit gone? Do you smell sharp vinegar notes?
It could be too late. You should avoid drinking wine if the smell reminds you of unpleasant memories.
Last but not least – the Taste
Once the wine has passed the look and smell tests, the next step is to taste it.
Wine that is past its expiration date is not toxic. The worst that can happen is to shock your taste buds if a wine turns bad.
Some people enjoy the smell of a red wine that has been opened a few days ago. Others cannot tolerate it. What you like is completely up to you.