LIFE OF A WINE ONCE OPENED
Every wine is different and depends on a variety of factors, such as the vintage, preparation method, bottling process, bottle material and closure and how it is stored. But some rules-of-thumb can be applied to have a general guidance.
• SPARKLING WINES:
1 to 3 days in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper. Sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening.
• LIGHTER BODIED WHITE / ROSÉ WINES:
5 to 7 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. As day passes by, the overall fruit character of the wine will diminish, becoming less vibrant.
• FULLER BODIED WHITE / ROSÉ WINES:
3 to 5 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. Typically oaked, these wines tend to oxidize more quickly because they experienced more oxygen during their pre-bottling aging process.
• RED WINES
3 to 5 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. The more tannin and acidity the red wine has, the longer it tends to last after opening.
• PORT / SHERRY:
1 month in a cool dark place with a cork. These fortified wines lose their vibrant flavours more quickly from exposure to light and heat.
Once a bottle of wine is opened, it is exposed to oxygen which makes the wine deteriorate, this is why a wine won’t be tasting great a few weeks later. By re-corking or keeping the screw cap on a wine, it will help stop further oxygen from getting in the bottle. A vacuum pump will help keep wine fresh for even longer.
• SPARKLING WINES:
1 to 3 days in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper. Sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening.
• LIGHTER BODIED WHITE / ROSÉ WINES:
5 to 7 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. As day passes by, the overall fruit character of the wine will diminish, becoming less vibrant.
• FULLER BODIED WHITE / ROSÉ WINES:
3 to 5 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. Typically oaked, these wines tend to oxidize more quickly because they experienced more oxygen during their pre-bottling aging process.
• RED WINES
3 to 5 days in fridge with a cork or screw cap. The more tannin and acidity the red wine has, the longer it tends to last after opening.
• PORT / SHERRY:
1 month in a cool dark place with a cork. These fortified wines lose their vibrant flavours more quickly from exposure to light and heat.
Once a bottle of wine is opened, it is exposed to oxygen which makes the wine deteriorate, this is why a wine won’t be tasting great a few weeks later. By re-corking or keeping the screw cap on a wine, it will help stop further oxygen from getting in the bottle. A vacuum pump will help keep wine fresh for even longer.
