28th April 2022 | Cork Talk | 4 minute read
Many of us often find ourselves opening a bottle of wine to only pour ourselves a glass or two. We’ll then end up with a half-drunk bottle, which likely gets poured away a few days later after contemplating whether it’s still ok to consume. With Brits alone pouring away a staggering 624 million bottles of the good stuff every year (yes, you read that right…), it’s time we find out how long wine lasts once it’s been opened, so you stop waving goodbye to perfectly good vino.
For all the info you need in one handy image, check out our infographic below. Or scroll down for a more detailed look at how long each style of wine lasts for once it’s been opened.
Red wine will stay fresh for different periods of time dependent on the style. Generally speaking, those with less body and lower tannins don’t last quite as long as those with a fuller, richer body.
For lighter reds such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir, these are best kept in the fridge with a cork and often last around 3 days.
For fuller bodied reds such as Malbec or Shiraz, these can last nearer to 5 or 6 days due to the higher tannins and the slightly higher alcohol levels these varieties tend to have, which slow the ageing process. In fact, full-bodied reds sometimes taste better on day 2 or 3 once the wine has had a chance to ‘breathe’. It is still best to keep these in the fridge once they have been opened but just make sure you allow the wine to reach room temperature before drinking it.
Much like with red wine, the amount of time white wine can be kept for varies depending on the style.
Lighter whites, such as Sauvignon Blanc, tend to keep the longest with most being fine to drink for 5 to 7 days if kept in the fridge with a cork (which helps to maintain freshness). Over this time, however, you will notice the taste change slightly as the wine oxidises. The fruitiness of the wine is likely to diminish with the flavours becoming slightly less vibrant. It’s therefore best to aim to enjoy light whites within 5 days.
Richer whites, on the other hand, such as oaked Chardonnay and Viognier, often oxidise a little quicker, mainly because they are in contact with oxygen for longer during their ageing process. As a result, these wines are best drunk within 3 to 5 days with a cork.
If you frequently drink this richer style of white wine, it’s worth investing in a gadget which can be fitted to the top of the bottle and removes any air from inside, creating a vacuum. There is plenty of these on the market and they can help keep wine fresher for days longer!
Rosé can be treated in a similar way to light white wines. Once opened, pop a cork in the top or screw the cap on tightly and place these in the fridge. They will keep fresh for around 5 days, however you will notice the flavours changing over this time, with the bright fruit flavours found in most rosés becoming less bold and slightly more subtle. Therefore the sooner you can drink rosé the better.
Sparkling wine can lose its fizz pretty quickly once it’s been opened. It’s therefore important to store it correctly so you can make the most of your bottle of bubbly!
The best way to store sparkling wine is in the fridge with a Champagne bottle stopper. These special stoppers help to create a tight seal inside the neck of the bottle, preventing the bubbles from escaping as quickly. If stored in this way, you can expect your bottle of fizz to last up to 3 days.
Some can last a little longer than this, specifically traditional method sparkling wines such as Cava and Champagne, as these are bottled with a higher atmospheric pressure, creating more bubbles and, ultimately, a fizzier wine. These can therefore last in the fridge for an extra day or two.
Fortified wines, such as Port and Sherry, can last considerably longer than standard wine. The addition of extra alcohol to these means the wines can last for 28 days when stored in the fridge, or a cool, dark place, with a cork.
Madeira and Masala are exceptions to this 28 day rule. These can last for years once opened because of the heating and ageing process they have been through. These sorts of wines are best kept somewhere cool and dark, but not necessarily in a fridge – a kitchen cupboard will do the job perfectly.
So next time you find that half empty bottle of wine in the fridge, think twice before you pour it away because it might just be good enough to drink. Of course, it’s always important to assess the wine and look out for any vinegary smells or any off colours as these can be signs it’s past its best. If it still looks and smells good, then try the wine to confirm if it’s ok – after all, off wine is no harm, it just won’t taste too good!
