How long can a wine last after it’s opened?

Once we open a bottle of wine, its countdown begins irretrievably. Wine can be spoiled by two chemical reactions, either because the acetic acid bacteria consumes the alcohol in the wine and metabolizes it into acetic acid and acetaldehyde, which gives the wine a sharp smell, similar to vinegar, or because the alcohol oxidizes, which gives the wine a nutty or crushed fruit flavor and takes away the wine’s freshness and fruity taste.

The lower the storage temperature of the wine, the slower these processes will occur. In general terms, most wines last between 3 and 5 days once opened. However, this depends largely on the type of wine. Below, you will be able to see how long the wine will last once opened, depending on the type of wine:

1. Sparkling wine

Sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening. Using a stopper for this type of wine, it can be kept for between 1 and 3 days in the refrigerator. A sparkling wine from the traditional method, such as Cava or Champagne, will last a little longer than a sparkling wine from the tank method such as Prosecco, as they have more bubbles when bottled.

2. Light white, sweet white and rosé wine

With the help of a cork, this type of wine can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, although from the first day the taste will begin to change subtly, as the wine oxidizes, and its fruity character will begin to be diluted.

3. Full-bodied white wine

Full-bodied white wines, such as Chardonnay and Viognier, tend to oxidize more quickly because they were exposed to a greater amount of oxygen during their aging process. Their storage time in a refrigerator with cork is between 3 and 5 days.

4. Red wine

In general, a red wine usually lasts between 3 and 5 days in a cool, dark place with a cork. The more tannin and acidity it has, the longer it will last after opening. Some wines will even improve after the first day of opening.

5. Fortified wine

Fortified wine, such as Port or Sherry, can last up to 28 days in a cool, dark place with a cork. Its long life is due to the addition of brandy. However, it is important to preserve them from light and heat, so the fridge is the ideal place to keep them. A fact: the sweeter it is, the longer it will last open.