Wine is one of life’s simple pleasures, whether toasting to a special occasion or unwinding at the end of a long day. But what happens when you’ve had more than your fair share and can’t finish the whole bottle? How long does wine last after you open it?

Red wines tend to have the longest shelf life once opened… The tannins and acidity in red wine act as natural preservatives.

Bad or Still Good To Glug?

You don’t need to be a sommelier to figure out when a wine has overstayed its welcome. The smell is usually the first giveaway.

If it starts to smell like vinegar or has a damp, cardboard-like aroma  – a reality for corked wines that have passed their ‘expiration date’ – it’s time to part ways. The taste will also change; oxidised wine often becomes flat and lacks the depth it once had. Certain wines can be aged for years, enhancing tasting notes and making them valuable additions to wine collections, but once the cork comes undone, that’s when you should exercise caution.

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How Long Does Wine Last?

When you open a bottle of wine, you’re essentially setting a timer. The moment oxygen hits the liquid, the wine begins to oxidise. While a little bit of air can help release the wine’s flavours, too much air exposure can make the wine rancid and unpleasant to drink.

Sparkling wines are the most delicate of the bunch. Once opened, they begin to lose their effervescence, even if you’ve sealed them with a fancy stopper. The general rule of thumb is to enjoy sparkling wines within 1-3 days. For a magnum-sized bottle, you might squeeze in an extra day if stored in the fridge, but the sparkle won’t be the same.

White and Rosé wines are slightly sturdier, lasting around 3-5 days in the fridge. These wines, often lighter and crisper, benefit from the cooler temperature, which slows down oxidation. You might notice a slight loss in the wine’s original vibrancy, but they can still be quite enjoyable.

Red wines tend to have the longest shelf life once opened, often lasting 3-6 days. The tannins and acidity in red wine act as natural preservatives. However, lighter reds like Pinot Noir may start to fade sooner compared to other red wine varietals, so it’s best to keep them in a cool place – yes, even in the fridge if necessary.

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Fortified and Natural Wines

Some wines are in a class of their own. Fortified wines, like port and sherry, are much more resilient thanks to their higher alcohol content and added spirits. These wines can last for weeks, even months, after being opened, as long as they’re stored in a cool, dark place.

On the other end of the spectrum, natural wines can be quite perishable. Without the stabilisers found in conventional wines, they may start to change quite quickly once opened. It’s best to drink these within a couple of days and keep an eye on any shifts in flavour.

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How To Make Wine Last Longer

To get the most out of an opened bottle, consider these easy and effective storage tips.

When you open a bottle of wine, you’re essentially setting a timer. The moment oxygen hits the liquid, the wine begins to oxidise.

Ditch the rack: Re-cork the bottle tightly to ensure it’s not exposed to the air. Avoid storing it on the wine rack – place the bottle upright to minimise the wine’s exposure to oxygen.

Make an airtight seal: If you want to go the extra mile, invest in a wine vacuum pump or a wine preservation system. These gadgets can remove air from the bottle or replace it with an inert gas, both of which help slow down the oxidation process and help wine last longer.

Decant & reserve: Another handy tip is to pour the remaining wine into a smaller container. Less air in the bottle means slower oxidation, preserving the wine’s flavours a bit longer.

While it’s great to savour a bottle over a few days, there’s something to be said for sharing it in the moment. If you find yourself with leftovers, don’t fret. Besides drinking, leftover wine can be a wonderful addition to cooking, whether you’re making a sauce, stew or risotto.

Going wine tasting? Here’s how to taste wine like a connoisseur. Follow us on Instagram for more food and wine tips.