You open a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon at dinner, and by the end of the night, you have half of it left. So how long does the wine last after opening? How do you know if it’s bad?
How long a wine will stay fresh after opening depends on its alcohol content, body and tannin content.
Let’s take a look at how long different types of red wine last after opening – and, of course, how long they should be stored in a cool, light-free place.
Light red wines
Light reds (such as Barbera, Grenache and Pinot Noir) can stay fresh for 2-3 days. Light reds have a low alcohol content (12.5% or less) and a small amount of tannins. As a result, the wine’s flavor and aroma will not last as long compared to medium or full-bodied reds.
Medium red wines
Medium red wines such as Merlot, Nebbiolo and Shiraz can be stored for 3 to 5 days after opening because of their high tannin content and alcohol content of 12.5% to 13.5%.
Full-bodied red wines
Full-bodied red wines (e.g. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz/Shiraz) can retain their flavor and stay fresh for 4-6 days. This is due to the alcohol content (13.5% or more) and tannins in the wine.
How long can other wines be kept after opening?
White wines: cork the opened wine, place the bottle in the refrigerator and stand it up. Usually, white wine can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week after opening. When the bottle is unopened, it does not need to be in the refrigerator. Always take white wine out of the refrigerator for a few minutes before drinking it, otherwise you will miss out on a lot of flavors.
Sparkling wines: Opened sparkling wines can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-3 days after corking.
It is important to note that sparkling wines such as Champagne, Prosecco and the sparkling dessert wine Asti Spumante have a very short shelf life and should be consumed immediately after opening, mainly because the pressure that keeps the bubbles flowing is lost once the bottle is opened. You can buy a stopper like a sparkling wine cork to keep the bubbles in the wine.
Rosé: Opened Rosé can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days with the cork in place, but the flavor will change slightly and the fruitiness of the wine will fade after a week.
Fortified wines: Port wines, sherry and other fortified wines can be kept for 28 days after opening and sealing in a cool place. They last longer due to the addition of brandy.
How do you know if an opened wine has gone bad?
Pour a little into the glass and see if one of three things happens.
1. The wine becomes lighter in color or the rim turns brown
Discoloration of wine is due to high levels of acetic acid (also known as vinegar flavor) produced during fermentation or wine denaturation. Therefore, if your wine looks bad, it is likely to have gone bad.
2. Loss of fruit aromas
3. How does it taste?
Wine that has passed its shelf life is non-toxic. If a wine goes bad, the worst thing that can happen to it is to shock your taste buds.
