How Long Will My Wine Last After Opening?

Opening a bottle of wine is always a great experience, but what happens when you don't finish the entire bottle? Can you save it for another day, and if so, how long will it last before it goes bad? The answer to that question depends on a few different factors.

First, it's important to understand that wine is a perishable product, and once you open a bottle, it starts to oxidize. Oxidation is a chemical process that occurs when wine comes into contact with oxygen, and it's what causes wine to go bad. Oxygen breaks down the compounds in the wine, changing its flavor and aroma over time. Of course, oxygen also has a good effect on wine! In small amounts, it releases the phenolic compounds which give the beautiful aromas that come off a wine when it is swirled in your glass.

With this in mind, how long you can keep an open bottle of wine largely depends on the type of wine you're drinking. Generally speaking, red wines tend to last longer than whites, and fortified wines like port or sherry can last even longer. Some fortified wines can last forever, even exposed to oxygen. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

- Sparkling wines: These are the most delicate of all wines and typically don't last very long once they're opened. Try to finish the bottle within a day or two.

- White wines: Most white wines will last 3-5 days in the fridge after they're opened. If you're drinking a particularly delicate white wine, like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, you might want to finish it within a day or two. That said, sweeter white wines will actually last longer because the sugar acts as a preservative against the negative effects of oxygen.

- Red wines: Red wines tend to last longer than whites because they have more tannins, which act as a natural preservative. Most red wines will last 3-5 days after they're opened, although some, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, can last up to a week.

- Fortified wines: Fortified wines, like port, can last for several weeks or even months after they're opened. This is because they have a higher alcohol content, which helps to preserve the wine. Sweet dessert wines, like Sauternes, or wines that have been intentionally exposed to heat, like Madeira, will last even longer! Sherry will last the longest, being already oxidized during the winemaking process. You can drink an open Sherry for years after and not notice a change in flavor.

It's worth noting that these are just general guidelines, and how long your wine will last after it's opened can also depend on how you store it. Once you've opened a bottle, you should try to keep it in the fridge with a cork or stopper in place to help slow down the oxidation process. And, of course, if the wine starts to smell or taste off, it's probably time to pour it down the drain (or use it in cooking).

To find out if your wines are ready to drink, past their point of maturity, or need more time, reach out and let me help. As part of my cellar management service, I will help in determining when the best drinking window is for your collection.