How Long Does Wine Last After Opening?

Wine is made to be savored, which doesn’t always mean finishing a bottle in a single session. But does wine go bad if left in an open bottle? How long does wine last after opening, and what’s the best way to store opened wine?

Our guide provides the answers with helpful tips on ensuring your wine stays at its best for as long as possible.

How Long Does Wine Last Once Opened?

While much depends on the wine in question, most wines last for 3 to 5 days once opened before they start to taste bad. Fortified wines, such as Port and Sherry, can last up to 28 days after opening.

Aged wines are typically more delicate and can deteriorate faster once opened. If properly stored, they can generally last 1-3 days, but their flavors may start to change within hours of opening the bottle.

What Makes a Wine Go Bad?

The moment a bottle of wine is opened, it is exposed to the oxygen in the air and the oxidation process begins. Oxygen interacts with the compounds in the wine and can cause the wine to ‘go bad’ over time. The process is similar to how a sliced apple turns brown when exposed to the air. Your wine may lose its freshness and fruity flavors, and its color may dull and take on a brownish tinge. It may taste sour, eventually becoming vinegar-like.

However, if you reseal the bottle and refrigerate it, you can slow the oxidation process and extend the wine's life.

Here’s a guide to how long different styles of opened wine typically last if stored correctly.

Red Wine

Red wine can typically last between 3 and 5 days.

Full- and medium-bodied wines with higher levels of tannins may last longer than light-bodied red wines. Tannins—the bitter compounds from grape skins, seeds and stems—help delay oxidation. Light-bodied reds like Pinot Noir may, therefore, spoil faster than a full-bodied Shiraz.

When stored correctly, some full-bodied red wines, such as Petite Sirah, may develop enhanced taste profiles a day after opening.

Seal your open bottle of red wine with a wine stopper or its cork, and store it in a dark, cool place or a refrigerator.

From light- to full-bodied, shop our extensive range of red wines now.

Full-Bodied White Wine

Full-bodied white wines will last 3-5 days once opened when the bottle is resealed and placed in the refrigerator. Some wines, such as Muscat or an oaked Chardonnay, may oxidize faster as they have been exposed to more oxygen while aging.

Consider using a vacuum cap to help preserve your full-bodied white wine once opened.

Shop our selection of white wines.

Rosé, Light Whites and Sweet Wines

Storing opened rosé, light and sweet white wines in the refrigerator with a cork or wine stopper will help to keep the wine fresh for up to a week—although some styles may peak closer to 5 days.

As your wine starts to oxidize, it will become less vibrant, losing much of its fruity flavor after several days.

Looking for a refreshing rosé to enjoy this summer? Browse our range of rosé wines.

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine has a shorter shelf life—with its carbonization quickly lost once opened.

Seal your bottle of bubbly with a wine stopper and store it in the refrigerator—and it should last around 1-3 days.

Prosecco is made using the tank method, meaning fewer bubbles are created, so it may not last as long as sparkling wines like Champagne or Cava, made via the traditional method that creates more bubbles.

Need a bottle of fizz for your next occasion? Choose from our sparkling wine selection.

Fortified and Dessert Wines

When re-corked and stored in a cool, dark place, fortified and dessert wines typically last up to 28 days once opened. Some fortified wines, like Sherry and Port, have a longer lifespan because they contain brandy, while others, such as Marsala and Madeira, can last for several years once opened as they are already oxidized.

Love fortified wine? Indulge in a fortified wine now.

Tips for Storing Opened Wine Bottles

There are several ways to store open wine bottles to help keep them fresh.

Use a Wine Preserver or Vacuum Cap

The more you can protect your wine from oxygen contact, the longer it will last, so resealing it with the cork or screw cap should be your first thought. However, a wine preserver or vacuum cap creates an air-tight seal that offers better protection for opened wine. Along with preventing oxidation, a wine preserver or vacuum cap can help keep the bubbles in sparkling wine.

Refrigerate Your Wine

To help preserve your opened bottle, keeping it somewhere within a cool, controlled temperature is key, such as a wine cooler or refrigerator. While red wine is not typically served chilled like white or rosé wine, its best chance of staying fresh once opened is to be at a constant temperature, ideally around 55°F. Take the opened bottle of red out of the refrigerator for around an hour before you plan to drink it to bring it to room temperature.

Store the Bottle Upright

Store the bottle upright in your chosen cool, dry place. Keeping the bottle upright will expose the wine less to oxidation than if the bottle is stored on its side.

Minimize Exposure to Light

Keep your opened bottle away from sunlight as much as possible to avoid light spoiling your wine.

Decant Wine into a Smaller Container

Pouring your wine into a smaller bottle or sealable container will help reduce the risk of oxidation. With less space in the container and a smaller surface area for your wine to interact with oxygen, there is less chance for your wine to spoil.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Wine

If you’re unsure about finishing the bottle, why not experiment with wine-based cocktails, such as a New York Sour or a White Wine Mojito?

Your leftover wine could also be a delicious addition to your next recipe. Red wine can add a depth of flavor to a jus sauce for a red meat dish, while white wine’s delicate acidity will complement a white-based sauce for chicken or fish.

Whatever your wine of choice, check out our wide range of wines in all styles now.

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