How long can wine be kept open: conditions, temperature, sommelier advice
How long can wine be kept open: conditions, temperature, sommelier advice
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Information on how long you can keep wine open may vary depending on the residual amount of the drink, as well as the type of product. With too long or improper storage of an alcoholic beverage, oxidation occurs, as well as weathering of the essential oils in its composition. In addition, the taste deteriorates, the aroma is lost, and there is also a chance of poisoning. In this article, we took a closer look at how long wine can be kept open and under what conditions.

Factors affecting shelf life

There are several important points that play a significant role in the duration of storage of the drink. If we talk about how long you can keep wine open, then the following nuances can affect the shelf life.

wine storage
wine storage

Indoor humidity level

When the value is low, the cork in the bottle dries out, which causes it to crumble and poorly maintain tightness. In high humidity conditions, the liquid will begin to mold and deteriorate quickly.

Air temperature

At low temperatures, the product loses its properties absolutely and without residue. The aroma and taste do not return even after freezing. In addition, when exposed to heat, the oxidation process is much faster, which is the reason for the accelerated deterioration of the product.

Environment

During the storage of wine in the refrigerator, it may be saturated with the aroma of other products. This drink can still be consumed, however, true aesthetes will not enjoy the process. You should also take into account the likelihood of exposure to sunlight on the drink. You should also pay attention to the fact that even artificial lighting negatively affects the quality of this product, and natural lighting can lead to speedy deterioration.

wine bottles
wine bottles

Tightness of containers

If the wine cork does not block the access of air, then the shelf life will be reduced several times. In addition, the occurrence of natural ventilation will accelerate the course of the oxidative process.

Packaging material

The most preferred material is glass, because it is not able to react with the drink. Please note that they should not be used for storing plastic containers. In cardboard containers, the drink spoils faster. Also hasof particular importance is the material from which the cork is made. If it is plastic, then the bottle will not be sealed enough, which will negatively affect the quality of the product.

wine in a decanter
wine in a decanter

Variety

You should also pay attention to the fact that, for example, fortified products are stored longer than red wines, since in the first case the composition has been changed. Thanks to the manufacturing technology and the characteristics of sparkling drinks, they quickly lose their properties.

Oxygen

Here an important role is played by the contact area of the drink with oxygen. The fact is that the air will contribute to the transformation of wine into vinegar.

Expiration dates

How long can wine be kept open and closed? If we talk about the production shelf life of wine, then this is the time during which the properties of the wine product are guaranteed not to change.

wine in the fridge
wine in the fridge

However, in order to maintain stability, as well as to eliminate the likelihood of precipitation, various preservatives are added to the wine product. But in reality, the finished drink is able to not sour in case of expiration date.

The actual shelf life of unopened wine is difficult to ascertain. The fact is that high-quality drinks can remain untouched for several centuries. A quality product will age over time, as a result of which its taste will only improve.

For standard varieties of drink, traditionally, the shelf life is from 2 to 5 years, but for elitewines (e.g. Burgundy or Bordeaux) this period can extend up to a full century.

How long can you keep an open bottle of wine? When open containers are implied, the storage time is reduced dramatically, since chemical compounds immediately react with oxygen, after which oxidation begins. If we talk about sparkling products, then carbon dioxide is also vented.

wine in a glass
wine in a glass

How long can open wine be kept?

Many must have asked this question. However, storage time may vary depending on storage conditions and variety:

  1. Sparkling wines. How long can open sparkling wine be stored in the refrigerator? In the refrigerator, such drinks can retain their properties for up to 3 days. The storage time is affected by the way the product is made. If side fermentations were carried out using vats in which pressure and temperature indicators were controlled, then the storage period will be reduced. The alcohol that was produced using standard technologies (for example, champagne or cava) is stored much longer.
  2. Light rosé and white wines. With proper storage, the drink can retain its taste and aroma for 5-7 days. However, already after the first day, a light acid associated with the course of a chemical process can be felt in the taste. In the case of individual varieties, such changes contribute, on the contrary, to an improvement in taste.
  3. White full-bodied wines. Talking about how long you can store whiteopen wine, when compared with a light variation, these drinks initially have the least acidity, which is why they deteriorate much faster during contact with oxygen. The duration of storage of such an open wine is 3-5 days, but subject to all the required conditions.
  4. Red wines. How long can open red wine be stored? The general term of storage - 3-5 days. However, the actual data will depend on the level of acidity. When it is high, the drink does not lend itself well to spoilage. For example, Pinot Noir oxidizes much faster, because it initially contains less tannins. In some cases, keeping an open bottle open overnight can actually improve the flavor profile of a red wine.
  5. Fortified wines. If you are wondering how long open dry or semi-sweet wine purchased in a store can be stored, then it can keep its taste qualities in a cool room for up to 28 days. This period is extended due to the addition of grape spirit.
  6. Wine in the package. Boxed standard drinks, as a rule, are stored exactly the same as the same variety in a glass bottle. If the container has a special tap, then the expiration date is automatically extended.
how to store open wine
how to store open wine

Sommelier Tips

How to store open bottles of wine? Ideally, the answer to this question involves the use of a wine cellar and the use of special equipment with which you can create a vacuum. Suchstorage conditions, products will be able to retain their properties for a maximum period. But in most situations, this is impractical, which is why a refrigerator or wine cabinet can be used for storage.

It is recommended to pour the remaining drink into a new container, the volume of which should correspond to the amount of wine. It is advisable to fill the bottle to the neck, so you minimize contact with air. Preference should be given to dark glass containers, because when interacting with artificial lighting and sunlight, the wine loses its properties. In addition, the cork should close the bottle tightly. It is recommended to store the container in an upright position, so you prevent the blocking material from drying out. If plastic is used, this rule can be ignored.

storage of wine in the refrigerator
storage of wine in the refrigerator

Humidity must be taken into account during storage in the cellar. The best level is 60-80%. The air temperature may vary depending on the particular variety, but should be around +10 … +15 °С.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that if you want to extend the shelf life of an open bottle of wine, then you must comply with all the necessary conditions described above.

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