If you’ve opened a bottle of wine you weren’t going to finish, you know the anxiety that comes with it. Opening a bottle doesn’t start an immediate countdown to disaster. So that leftover wine isn’t going to turn to vinegar overnight, but it doesn’t stay good forever.
With inflation concerns affecting 93% of Americans according to a recent CNET survey, and 77% experiencing sticker shock specifically at grocery stores, it’s no wonder people want to avoid wasting even half a bottle of wine. In a recent Reddit thread on the topic, users discussed how to preserve an open bottle of wine. Some swore by vacuum stoppers and keeping bottles in the fridge for up to five days, while others suggested going for Coravin systems or argon gas sprays.
With a few ridiculously simple tricks, you can keep that bottle tasting fresh for days. We’re talking basic stuff here: Seal it up tight, stand it upright and put it in the fridge — yes, even the red. All of these moves work to slow down the air that wants to ruin your vino.
But not all wines are created equal when it comes to shelf life. So before you pour good wine down the drain, here’s everything to know about storing open wine.
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Here’s how long wine lasts and how best to store it
Once any bottle of wine is open beyond the few hours it takes to breathe and decant, its quality begins to deteriorate. That’s why it is crucial to take some steps to preserve its longevity, should you want to finish the remaining beverage before it essentially turns to vinegar.
According to wine educator Rachel Thralls, each wine type requires different storage methods. Here’s a breakdown of the most common.
Red wine
Days it will last in the fridge: 3-5
“Red wines can be stored in a cool, dark place with a cork or in your wine fridge or refrigerator,” says Thralls. “The more tannin and acidity the red wine has, the longer it tends to last after opening.”
For example, a lower tannin wine like Pinot Noir won’t last as long as rich reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Some wines will even improve after the first day open,” Thralls adds. “If you don’t have a wine fridge, your regular fridge is better than letting the wine sit out in a 70-degree room. Just take the red wine out about 10 minutes before you want a glass so it warms up a little. The red wine will also open up in the glass.”
Full-bodied white wine
Days it will last in the fridge: 2-3
“Full-bodied white wines such as oaked chardonnay and viognier tend to oxidize more quickly because they see more oxygen during their prebottling aging process,” explains Thralls. “Be certain to always keep them corked and in the fridge. If you drink a lot of this type of wine, it’s a really smart idea to also invest in vacuum caps.”
Sparkling wine
Days it will last in the fridge: 1-3
“Sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening,” says Thralls. “A traditional method sparkling wine such as cava or Champagne (which have more atmospheres of pressure, aka more bubbles) will last a little longer than a tank method sparkling wine like prosecco.”
Invest in a bouchon (sparkling wine stopper) for best results. If you’re really serious about preserving your Champagne, Coravin makes a bougie sparkling wine preservation system that pumps carbon dioxide back into the bottle to extend its effervescent fridge life by weeks.
Light white, sweet white and rosé wines
Days it will last in the fridge: 4-5
“Most light white and rosé wines will be drinkable for up to a week when stored in your refrigerator with a cork,” advises Thralls. “You’ll notice the taste will change subtly after the first day as the wine oxidizes. The overall fruit character of the wine will often diminish, becoming less vibrant.”
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Tips for storing wine for a longer life
The aforementioned guidelines are helpful for any wine novice. Thralls suggests a few general rules to take into consideration with any opened bottle.
1. Invest in a wine preserver. “They work very well for keeping wine after it’s been opened. You can use the cork and push it back in or try [a product such as] Repour, which removes the oxygen from the bottle.” Coravin wine systems are pricier but these high-tech units actually refill the bottle with argon gas, extending the life of red and white wine for up to a month.
2. Store any open wine in the refrigerator. “Or a wine fridge, if you have one,” says Thralls. “This cold storage will slow down any development of the wine, keeping it fresh. The ideal cellar or wine fridge temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit.”
3. Keep wine away from direct sunlight or sources of heat. “This includes above a refrigerator or oven. It will get ‘cooked’ and ruin the aroma and flavor.”
Ideal serving temperatures for wine
One could argue that wine temperature depends on personal preference; there are optimal temperatures that somms and wine professionals aim for.
Generally, wine actually tastes better served slightly cool, which applies to whites and reds. This $21 device can chill warm wine (or any other liquid) in seconds.
“The same ideology of experiencing coffees, teas and sparkling waters at different temperatures also applies to wine,” says Thralls, revealing that the more delicate floral aromatics in fine wines can actually be subdued at overly cool temperatures or burn off too quickly when the wine is too warm.
“If you drink affordable wine most of the time, serving it slightly chilled will disguise most ‘off’ aromas,” she says. “A wine above 70 degrees Fahrenheit will start to smell more alcoholic because of increased ethanol evaporation that occurs as the temperature rises.”
Thralls says that this is a good reason to not fill your wine glass up to the brim. “A typical serving of wine is about 5 ounces and a bottle of wine contains just over 25 ounces, so you should get about five glasses of wine per bottle,” she explains. “The extra space in a typical wine glass is designed to hold the aromas when you swirl and smell your wine, so try and save some space.”
The ideal serving temperatures for each type of wine
Champagne and sparkling wines
Affordable sparkling wines taste best served at 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a high-quality, more expensive Champagne or sparkling wine, serve at ideal light white wine temperatures, which are slightly warmer.
Light white wines and rosés
Examples of light white wines are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. These wines are best served between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly cooler than heavier white wines. Rosé wines also taste best and maintain their crispness and acidity at these temperatures.
Heavy whites and light reds
Heavier white wines, such as chardonnay, taste well at a range of temperatures depending on someone’s personal preference, from 48 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Oak-aged whites’ fruit tends to taste better when served slightly warmer. Lighter red wines such as Pinot Noir taste better at this cooler end of the spectrum.
Read more: The 5 Bad Wine Habits You Need to Break, According to an Expert
Medium-bodied reds
Medium-bodied reds, such as merlot, are best served right around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is also the ideal cellar temperature. You can grab your bottle right out of your cellar and pour a glass. Keep in mind that wines tend to warm up in the glass as well.
Full-bodied and aged reds
Full-bodied reds such as cabernet sauvignon, syrah and zinfandel are best served between 59 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. But isn’t that too cold for a red wine? The wine will taste much better if cool and, as Thrall mentioned, the glass will warm the wine as well.
No matter how you swirl it, a good wine is one that doesn’t end up down the drain. If you must tap out and savor the remainder of your bottle for future imbibing pleasure, take all of these tips into consideration and you’ll never waste money (and precious alcohol) again. Cheers.
Wine expiration FAQ
Does wine go bad after opening?
Yes, but some wines last longer than others.
Can old wine make you sick?
No, old opened wine typically won’t make you sick. It will taste unpleasant due to oxidation or turn into vinegar, but is usually safe to consume.
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