How to Tell If Your Wine Went Bad
Maybe you’ve encountered a bottle of wine and wondered if it’s still OK to drink? Yes, it can be a little bit tricky to know or determine if the wine has gone bad already or not. Did you know that an opened or unopened wine can also go bad over time especially if not stored correctly? Well, it’s really heartbreaking to imagine for a wine lover that a perfectly nice bottle of their favourite wine has gone bad. In this blog post, we listed down the important indications you can look for to determine whether your wine has gone bad before you can enjoy it.
How Long Does Open Wine Last?
For a bottle of wine that you just opened, it can last up to 3–5 days depending on how light or heavy the wine is. It will mostly last longer if properly stored in a dark place away from sunlight and at an appropriate or cool temperature. One of the reasons why wine has a long shelf life is because of its natural elements that help preserve it, which are called alcohol and tannins. If you are wondering why, well, it’s because alcohol prevents the growth of bacteria such as microbes and pathogens that can cause wine spoilage while tannins act as a natural antioxidant that make wine have its bitter taste and astringency that bind with other molecules in the wine and form polymers, which create a film around the wine's surface that prevents oxygen from interacting with it.
Here are some types of wine and how long they will last after opening:
Light-bodied red wines: can last around 3 to 7 days
Medium-bodied red wines: can last around 3 to 5 days
Full-bodied red wines: can last around to 4 to 6 days
Rosé and light-bodied white wines: can last around 5 to 7 days
Sparkling wines: can last around 1 to 3 days
Full-bodied white wines: can last around 3 to 5 days
Fortified wines: can last up to 28 days
How to Store Opened Wine Properly?
1. Seal the bottle.
If you have an opened bottle of wine, be sure to seal it up again. This will prevent further oxidation and keep your wine tasting fresh for longer periods of time.
2. Store it upright.
Wine bottles should always be stored upright so they don't leak or break when they're moved around. Also, this is to make sure that only a limited surface area will be exposed to oxygen.
3. Place your wine in a cool, dark place.
Putting your bottle of wine in the refrigerator at the appropriate temperature is the best option for this. In this way, it will help keep your wine fresher for longer. Don't leave your wine out on the table overnight, like you wouldn't do with leftover foods.
4. Keep it away from sunlight.
Wine's aroma and flavour can be affected by a sulphur-releasing process that is triggered by sunlight, so make sure you're keeping it out of direct sunlight when possible.
Ways to Tell if Opened Wine Has Gone Bad
1. By Colour
If your red wine has turned red or brownish in colour or your white wine has turned darker yellow, it may be bad. This is also a sign of oxidation, which occurs when oxygen interacts with certain compounds in the wine.
2. By Taste
This is one of the obvious signs that your wine has gone bad, when it already tastes different. When it smells like vinegar and lost its fruity aroma like berries or stone fruit, it's already gone bad. Vinegar is a telltale sign that bacteria was present and has consumed the alcohol. Additionally, if there's a strange flavour like burnt rubber or chemicals, separation anxiety is real but this is the time that you have to let go of it.
3. By Smell
You may also notice if the wine has gone bad through its smell. A wine that’s still good should smell fruity and sweet. If it smells like sour milk, moldy, or rusty, that will definitely a good indicator that your wine has past its prime.
How Long Does Unopened Wine Last?
What if you’ve encountered an unopened bottle of wine in your pantry that has been there for a long time? You’ve probably asked yourself if it’s still good to drink. Though, unopened wines have a longer shelf life than opened wines, they can still go bad, especially if not stored correctly. Unopened wines can be consumed even after their drinking window has passed, as long as they still smell and taste good. As many people say, the longer the wine is stored, the more it tastes good. Most unopened wines can last for many years and even decades. I can say it doesn’t actually apply to all, it will still depend on what type of wine you have in your cellar.
Here are some types of wine and how long they will last unopened:
Red wines: can last around 2 to 10 years or more
White wines: can last around 1 to 3 years
Rosé wines: can last around 1 to 3 years
Cooking wines: can last around 3 to 5 years
Sparkling wines: can last around 1 to 3 years
Fortified wines: can last around 4 to 20 years or more
Dessert wines: can last around 2 to 20 years or more
How to Store Unopened Wine Properly
1. Store your bottle horizontally.
Corked should be kept on their sides to maintain the cork's moisture. By storing wines horizontally, this will prevent air from getting in.
2. Protect your wine from sunlight.
Sunlight can damage the chemicals in wine that give it its flavour and aroma. The best thing to do is to not store your bottles where they'll be exposed to direct sunlight fora long period of time.
3. Keep it in a cool, dark place.
The preferred temperature that a wine should be stored is between 45-65 Fahrenheit. Also make sure that the humidity level is around 70% to prevent the cork from drying out.
Tips to Tell if Unopened Wine Has Gone Bad
1. Appearance of Bubbles
This is also a good indicator that unopened wine has gone bad. If you’re seeing small bubbles in your non-sparkling wine, this means your wine is not consumable and already taste differently.
2. Change in Colour
Though it’s natural for unopened wines to change colour, a significant change in colour can be an indication that your wine has gone bad.
3. Change in Smell
You can identify if your wine has expired if it smells like burnt rubber, vinegar, medicinal, or sometimes nutty. If ever you find your wine smells like this, don’t hesitate to throw it out and buy a new one.
4. Change in Taste
To confirm if your wine has really gone bad, taste it, so uncork it and have a sip. If it has an unusual taste like a sharp, sour flavour similar to vinegar or a horseradish-like taste, it’s time to say goodbye.
Restocking Your Wine Collection
So, the next time you’ll be hosting a party and you’re not sure if the wines in your cellar can still be consumed, feel free to follow this guide. In case you’ve confirmed that all your wines have already gone bad, don’t regret it; instead, restock again because wines are meant to be enjoyed. The North Pole Company is pleased to offer an array of excellent and high-quality wines from around the world. Shop with us today!