“How long does wine last – How long does an opened wine last?” Probably the most searched phrase among people who are exposed to alcohol for the first time. It is a harsh truth that when most people believe that alcohol can be stored forever. Please continue to follow this article because True Wine will surely give you the answer you want right away.

How long does wine last – How long does an opened wine last?

Typical shelf life of wine

Unopened wines have a longer shelf life than when they have been opened. On the other hand, their shelf life is highly dependent on the type of wine as well as the method of wine storage. 

Here is the shelf life after the expiration date printed on the labels of some popular wines:

• White wine: 1-2 years 
• Red wine: 2-3 years
• Cooking wine: 3-5 years
• Fine Wines: 10 – 20 years (under properly stored conditions in the cellar)

It is essential to store these wines in a cool place and to be tilted so that the cork does not dry out. Ideally, you enjoy them as soon as you buy them, while ensuring the taste and not having to worry about their expiration date.

How long can wine be stored? – How long does an opened wine last?

The shelf life of an opened bottle of wine depends on the characteristics of the wine. In general, light wines (alcohol content below 12.5%) will spoil much faster than dark wines (alcohol content above 13.5%).

Wine after being opened will be directly exposed to oxygen, light,  yeast  and bacteria. Most of the ingredients will be oxidized leading to a change in the quality of the wine. 

Here’s a list of popular wines and their estimated shelf life after they’ve been opened:

• Red wine: 3 – 6 days
• White and rosé wines: 4-5 days
• Champagne: 1-2 days
• Dessert wine: 3-7 days
• Porto wine: 1-3 weeks

How to properly store opened wine?

Make sure your wine is set to low heat! Most wines will taste better when they are stored in cool conditions. While this won’t prevent the texture from breaking, it will help slow it down.

Signs that the wine has “spoiled”

Even if you have found the answer “How long does wine last – How long does an opened wine last”, there will still be situations where the unexpected happens. 

You should discard bottles of wine that have dark colors, such as purples and reds, that turn brownish, as well as white wines that turn wine or opaque. 

You can also judge alcohol through your sense of smell. Wine that has been left open for too long will have a strong smell, like vinegar, like sauerkraut. 

Damaged wine will have a sharp sour taste or the smell of burnt apples.

The above article has decoded the question “How long can wine be preserved? – How long does an opened wine last? Almost all wine has a certain shelf life. Knowing the techniques of wine storage and calculating the maximum length of time wine can last can help you effectively prolong their life.