Information on how much wine can be stored open may vary depending on the residual amount of the drink, as well as the type of product. If the alcoholic beverage is stored for too long or improperly, the oxidation as well as the weathering of the essential oils in it will occur. In addition, the taste worsens, the aroma is lost, and there is also a chance of poisoning. In this article, we examined in more detail how much wine can be stored 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 much wine can be stored open, then the nuances described below can influence the shelf life.
Indoor humidity level
At a low rate, the cork in the bottle dries out, which is why it crumbles and poorly maintains tightness. In high humidity conditions, the liquid will begin to mold and deteriorate quickly.
Air temperature
At low temperatures, the product loses its own properties absolutely and without residue. Aroma and taste do not return even after freezing. In addition, under the influence of heat, the oxidation process occurs much faster, which is the reason for the acceleration of spoilage of the product.
Environment
During the storage of wine in the refrigerator, it can be saturated with the aroma of other products. This drink can still be consumed, but real aesthetes will not enjoy the process. The likelihood of sun exposure to the drink should also be taken into account. You should also pay attention to the fact that even artificial lighting is negatively reflected in the quality of this product, while natural lighting can lead to early damage.
Container tightness
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.
Packing material
Glass is considered the most preferred material, because it is not able to react with a drink. Please note that they should not be used for storing plastic containers. In cardboard containers, the beverage deteriorates faster. Also of particular importance is the material from which the cork is made. If it is plastic, then the bottle will not be tight enough, which will negatively affect the quality of the product.
Grade
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 is changed. Thanks to the manufacturing technology and the characteristics of sparkling drinks, they quickly lose their properties.
Oxygen
Here, the contact area of the drink with oxygen plays an important role. The fact is that air will contribute to the conversion of wine into vinegar.
Expiration dates
How long can wine be kept open and closed? If we talk about the production shelf life of the wine, then this is the time during which the properties of the wine product will not be guaranteed to change.
However, in order to maintain stability, as well as to exclude the possibility of precipitation, various preservatives are added to the wine product. But in reality, the finished drink can not sour in case of expiration.
In fact, the possible period of preservation of closed wine is difficult to establish. The fact is that high-quality drinks can remain intact for several centuries. A quality product will age over time, as a result of which its taste only improves.
For standard varieties of the drink, the shelf life is traditionally from 2 to 5 years, but for elite wines (for example, Burgundy or Bordeaux) this period can increase up to a century.
How long can I store an open bottle of wine? When open containers are meant, the storage time is reduced dramatically, since the chemical compounds immediately react with oxygen, after which oxidation begins. If we talk about sparkling products, then carbon dioxide is also eroded.
How long can open wine be stored?
Many probably asked this question. However, the duration of storage may vary depending on storage conditions and variety:
- Sparkling wine. How much can open sparkling wine be kept in the refrigerator? In the refrigerator, such drinks can retain their own properties for up to 3 days. The storage time is affected by the method of manufacturing the product. If secondary fermentation was carried out using tanks in which pressure and temperature indicators were monitored, the storage period will be reduced. The alcohol that was produced using standard technologies (for example, champagne or cava) is stored for a very long time.
- Light pink and white wines. With proper storage, the drink can retain taste and aroma for 5-7 days. However, after the first day, a mild acid may be felt in taste associated with the course of the chemical process. In the case of individual varieties, such changes contribute, on the contrary, to an improvement in taste.
- Full white wines. Speaking about how much white wine can be kept open, when compared with a light variation, these drinks initially have the lowest acidity, which is why they deteriorate much faster when exposed to oxygen. The shelf life of such an open wine is 3-5 days, but subject to all the required conditions.
- Red wines. And how much can you store open red wine? The total shelf life is 3-5 days. However, actual data will depend on the level of acidity. When it is tall, 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, maintaining an open bottle throughout the day can, conversely, improve the palatability of red wine.
- Fortified wines. If you are wondering about how long you can store open, dry or semi-sweet wine purchased in a store, then it can keep its taste in a cool room for up to 28 days. This period increases due to the addition of grape alcohol.
- Wines in the package. Boxed standard drinks, as a rule, are stored exactly as much as the same variety in a glass bottle. If the container has a special faucet, then the expiration date automatically increases.
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. In such storage conditions, products will be able to maintain their own properties for a maximum period. But in most situations this is impractical, for which reason a refrigerator or a wine cabinet can be used for storage.
It is recommended to transfer 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. You should give preference to containers made of dark glass, 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 will prevent the cork material from drying out. In the case of using plastic, this rule is allowed to be neglected.
During storage in the cellar, humidity should be considered. The best level is 60-80%. The air temperature may be different depending on the particular variety, but should be about + 10 ... +15 ° C.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that if you want to extend the shelf life of an open bottle of wine, you must follow all the necessary conditions described above.