When Will Wine Go Bad Once Opened
WHITE WINE
Light white, sweet white and rose: Up to 7 days, with the cork!
The flavour will change slightly due to oxidation, but the wine can still be good to drink up to 7 days after opening.
Full-bodied: 3-5 days, with the cork!
Like your lighter white, full-bodied whites will oxidise and look some of their vibrancy, but they’re otherwise fine for a few days. Oak-aged whites tend to store more oxygen so will be quicker to oxidise
RED WINE
3-5 days in a cool dark place, with the cork in!
Your fuller-bodied and acidic red wines will last a bit longer. The increased tannins in red wine protect it against oxidation. Lighter reds are more susceptible to spoiling.
SPARKLING WINE
1-3 days with a wine stopper.
Sparkling wine is more finicky than the rest. That’s because they quickly lose their carbonation after opening
NATURAL WINE
1-2 days, with the cork in.
Given the lack of additives, natural wine isn’t likely to last as long as conventional wine once opened. So, it’s best to invite your friend over for this one.
To learn more about Natural Wine, check out our post on it here!
STORAGE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR WINE FRESH
✓ Red: A chiller is perfect but, if you don’t have one, then in the fridge is better than not.
✓ Sparkling: Champagne or Sparkling wine using traditional methods will last longer than, say, Prosecco.
✓ If you’re often leaving some wine left over, invest in a vacuum cap. These will keep your wine fresher for longer.
✓ Keep all wines out of direct natural light. Dim or dark places are best. This is also true for unopened wine!
✓ Wine that’s gone bad simply turns to vinegar, so don’t worry too much if you’ve accidentally copped a glass of bad wine. It won't hurt you, only your tastebuds.
