IT’S ONE OF life’s burning questions — is my wine safe to drink?
Wonder no more. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best way of storing wine and identifying whether or not it’s safe to drink.
1. How long will my bottle of red wine last after opening it?
According to Wine Folly, a bottle of red wine should last for between 3-5 days after being opened provided you store it properly.
Oxygen can go a long way in making red wine go bad, so the key is to minimise a bottle’s exposure to it. They advise wine connoisseurs to pop the cork back in after every glass pour and make sure you store it upright.
Additionally, you should not keep it by a window. For best results, store in the fridge — but not on its side.
2. Which red wine will go bad quickest?
Sorry, pinot noir fans — Wine Folly states that the red wine is ultra sensitive to oxygen and will go bad quickly if it’s not stored properly. Ditto older wines or organic wines.
3. How about white wines or rosés?
These have a longer shelf life and are usually good for 5-7 days provided you put the top back on and keep it in the fridge.
However, not all wines are created equal. Wine Folly says that certain wines like Sauvignon Blanc will actually taste better the second day, while wines like Chardonnay may spoil quicker.
4. I’ve accidentally frozen my wine — can I still drink it?
Yes! The Globe and Mail writes that it’s basically grand.
Many liquids are reasonably tolerant to freezing. Fruit juice and milk, for example, suffer little. It’s the same with wine. Some people maintain they can taste a difference, but any change in flavour will be extremely subtle.
But they caution that you shouldn’t microwave it.
Under no circumstances should you microwave it, at least not with the cork still lodged in the neck
So don’t be getting any ideas.
5. How about sparkling wine?
Sparkling wine is essentially useless once it’s been opened. It might still be drinkable after three days, but the fizz will almost certainly be gone — even if you use a spoon.
It is, however, worth noting that champagne and cava have longer-lasting fizz than prosecco. So now.
6. How can I tell if my wine has gone bad?
There are a number of telltale signs to watch out for. Like…
- It’s fizzy and it’s not meant to be.
- It’s a little browner than you remembered.
- It smells rank.
If your wine bears any of these characteristics, it’s probably safe to say that you shouldn’t drink it.
7. Does it make any difference if I have a screw capped bottle of wine?
There’s no evidence to suggest that it makes any difference whether it’s a cork or screwtop. The important thing is where it’s stored.
8. Are there any gadgets I can buy to ensure my wine doesn’t go bad?
Wine aficionados recommend wine savers and vacuum caps to help preserve the wine and prevent oxidation.
Does putting a spoon in a bottle of Prosecco actually keep it fizzy overnight?
