Most people don’t know that it is possible for wine to go bad and not all wines taste better with age. Whether vintage or sparkling, once your wine is past its prime, it certainly may not serve you the purpose you purchased it for.
In this post, we will explore how long wine lasts and how long it is good for.
Tl;DR
- All wine can go bad due to factors like oxidation, improper storage, or prolonged exposure to air after opening. Look for changes in colour, taste (sour or sharp), smell (vinegary or musty), unexpected bubbles in still wine, and cloudiness or floating particles.
- Store wine at a stable temperature (ideally 55°F/13°C), horizontal position, away from UV light, vibrations, and humidity extremes. Use a dedicated wine fridge for optimal preservation.
- Fortified wine lasts 1–3 weeks, red wine 3–5 days, sparkling wine 1–3 days, and white wine 3–7 days if stored properly. Temperature fluctuations, upright storage, and UV light exposure can cause unopened wine to age prematurely or spoil. Keep corks moist and avoid heat.
- You can order your favourite, authentic wines online in Lagos on LickquorNg and have them delivered to your doorstep. Explore a wide range of luxury and affordable wines available for immediate delivery.
Does Wine Go Bad? and How Long Does an Open Wine Last?
Does wine ever go bad? The simple answer is YES, it does, and a couple of things are responsible for that. However, this spoilage varies according to the type of wine.
- Fortified wine: once opened, it should be consumed within 1 -3 weeks and stored in a cool, dark place with the cork firmly placed.
- Red wine: It is safe for consumption for 3 to 5 days and is best stored corked in a cold and dark place to preserve flavour.
- Sparkling wine: Once opened, you should consume it between 1 to 3 days and store it in a sparkling wine stopper in the refrigerator.
- White wine: Safe for consumption between 3 to 7 days after opening but stored corked in the refrigerator.
Now, let’s talk about an unopened wine so you know how to prevent spoilage and premature ageing.
What Causes Unopened Wine To Go Bad?
- Inconsistent Storage Temperature: When there are temperature fluctuations, wines may age prematurely and lose flavour. Wine stored at low temperatures can also lose its taste and flavour, so it is best stored at recommended temperatures, some of which you will learn as you read on.
- Humidity: Humidity can dry off the cork, allowing air infiltration, thereby oxidizing the wine or causing mould formation.
- Storing position: Upright storage of wine bottles may dry out wine corks, allowing air to enter, while horizontal storage keeps them moist and seals out air.
- Type of wine: lighter white wines do not have the properties to age as long as red wines so that you can watch that.
- Age of wine: Wines have different longevity potentials. While some can remain the same over the years, some are better consumed early.
5 Easy Ways To Know Your Wine Has Gone Bad
- Colour Test
When oxidation occurs, the wine’s colour changes; red wine loses its bright, vivid colour and becomes brownish, and white wine develops a darker hue, too.
- Taste Test
If your eyes miss it, your tongue will tell if something goes off, so beyond looking out for film, take a sip of the days-old opened wine. If it gives a sharp, sour taste, then it isn’t good. This taste confirms that additional fermentation has occurred and oxidation from the filtering in of air. It will also give a little caramelized fruity taste.
- Smell Test
If you want to know if your wine has gone bad, sniff it. You will perceive a tangy, acidic smell and nutty or vinegar scent. If this happens, the second fermentation is ongoing, and your wine is bad for full consumption. It will also give you an apple or cooked sugar smell or a wet cardboard smell, so you should watch out for these poignant smells.
- Bubbles Test
Opened wine isn’t supposed to develop bubbles, especially if it is not a sparkling wine. So, if you see tiny fizzy bubbles developing in your wine, it indicates the presence of second fermentation. With this development, your wine is past its best consumption condition.
- Appearance Test
If you look at your wine and notice some cloudiness or light film coating above it, it is possible that it has gone past its prime and no longer guarantees a pleasant taste. While sedimentation is normal in aged wines, floating particles or cloudiness in still wine may indicate spoilage.
Here are some tell-tale signs to know if unopened wine has gone bad
- Pushed-up cork: when you notice a slightly pushed cork, it means heat damage and leak.
- Discolouration: When your red wine turns brown, or the white wine darkens, it suggests oxidation or the wine has aged.
How To Store Wine Perfectly
Temperature Control
The ideal temperature for storing wines is 55ºF (13ºC) for long—and short-term storage. However, this varies from wine to wine. For the best results, it is better to consult the wine manufacturer’s recommendations when dealing with different wines. However, irrespective of the type of wine, it should never be stored below 25 °F (-4ºC) because it could over-freeze and above 68°F (20°C). Stable temperatures are highly recommended when storing wine so the cork doesn’t enlarge and accelerate ageing.
Humidity Levels
You must ensure your wines are stored at an appropriate humidity level of 60% and 68% for best performance. If the humidity level is too low, your bottle corks might dry out, resulting in oxygen infiltration. On the other hand, if the humidity is too high, bottle labels will wear off, “under-marketing” them, so it is best to stick within the recommended humidity storage levels. Additionally, you can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to adjust your humidity levels, and this should help you keep them on the safe path.
Light Exposure
You should keep wines from direct light UV sunlight rays because they could damage their quality and aromas. They should be stored in a dark place and away from vibrating equipment like washing machines, stereo systems, dryers, kitchen gadgets, and all forms of vibration in the house because they can disturb sediments in the wine. They should also be stored in dark bottles, so you can choose wines in dark bottles, especially when storing them for a while.
Positioning
Wine experts recommend horizontal positioning for wine storage to prevent the corks from drying out and causing seepage and premature ageing. Apart from maximizing storage space, horizontal storage helps to keep the cork moist, preserving its flavour and quality. Stacking is also discouraged to avoid breakage.
Wine Rack or Cellar
Store wine in a dedicated fridge or cellar. If you want your wine to retain its quality, a dedicated wine rack or cellar is the best place to store it. You should also store it in a wine refrigerator, not your regular refrigerator, because wine is regulated at a specific temperature. Apart from that, keeping your wines away from cross-contamination of food odours in the regular refrigerator will help retain their quality. If you care about giving optimal sommelier services, then a dedicated wine refrigerator is a worthy investment.
FAQ
How Do I Know If The Wine Is Expired?
Check for visual changes (colour and clarity), off-odours, unpleasant tastes, cork condition, and improper storage signs, and consider the wine’s age, as any negative indicators suggest it may be spoiled.
What Happens If You Drink Bad Wine?
Drinking bad wine can lead to unpleasant tastes, digestive issues, allergic reactions, headaches, and, in rare cases, food poisoning symptoms.
Wrapping Up
You can easily determine whether wine has gone bad by checking for alterations in colour, taste, and smell. Fortunately, you can indeed prevent spoilage when you store your wine in recommended storage conditions.
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