4 Ways to Tell if Your Wine Has Gone Bad (& How Long Wine Typically Lasts)

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Plus, expert tips on storing wine to preserve its freshness
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Whether you’ve got an open bottle of wine in the fridge or an unopened bottle waiting to be enjoyed, you might be wondering how to tell if your wine has gone bad. Luckily, there are clear changes in the appearance, smell, and taste that indicate wine is no longer fresh. In this article, we’ll go over all the signs that wine is bad and explain how long opened and unopened wine typically last. We also spoke with certified wine consultant Murphy Perng to get the best storage tips for keeping wine fresh for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Know If Your Wine Has Gone Bad

Wine that’s gone bad typically looks dull and changes color, with white wines appearing darker and red wines appearing lighter. The wine might also appear cloudy or develop bubbles. Bad wine usually starts to smell vinegary or rotten. It will also taste bland or develop a vinegary or overly sweet taste.

Section 1 of 4:

Signs That Wine Has Gone Bad

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  1. Once wine is opened and exposed to oxygen, it starts to go bad. This usually causes the wine to appear duller or even change its colors. White wines usually appear darker or a brownish color as they go bad, while red wines typically start to appear lighter and can take on a brownish shade. [1]
  2. 2
    The wine is cloudy or bubbly. Microbes can also cause wine to go bad. For instance, bacterial growth can cause the wine to appear cloudier than normal or leave behind sediment. Wines can also re-ferment as they start to go bad, which can cause them to appear bubbly or fizzy. [2]
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  3. 3
    The wine smells vinegary, rotten, or very sweet. As wine starts to oxidize and go bad, it typically loses its fruity smell and develops an acidic and vinegary odor or an ultra-sweet smell. Bacterial growth can also cause the wine to smell rotten or like a barnyard. [3]
    • Some wines are bottled incorrectly, which can cause them to go bad before they’re opened. For instance, a wine that smells like wet cardboard or cabbage may have had issues during production.
  4. 4
    The wine tastes flavorless, vinegary, or overly sweet. If you’re unsure if a wine is bad by its appearance or odor, you’ll know by its taste. Wines start to lose their flavorful notes once opened and begin to taste bland. If the wine has been opened for a while, it may taste very acidic and vinegary, or very sweet and sherry-like. [4]
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Section 2 of 4:

How long does wine last?

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  1. 1
    Opened wine typically stays fresh for 3 to 5 days. In general, Perng recommends finishing off an opened bottle of wine within 3 days, as “keeping wine fresh after it's been opened is difficult.” However, some wines keep well for longer once opened. Below are the general timelines for how long different types of wine last:
    • Sparkling wine : 1 to 2 days
    • Light white wines and rosé : 4 to 5 days
    • Rich white wines : 3 to 5 days
    • Red wines : 3 to 6 days
    • Dessert wines : 3 to 7 days
    • Port wines : 1 to 3 weeks
    • Sherry : 1 to 8 weeks
  2. 2
    Unopened wine can stay fresh for several years. When stored properly, most unopened white and red wines can last for 2 to 3 years. Some high-end wines, especially very sweet ones, can last up to 10 years. [5] Unopened fine wines can last for decades, even centuries, if they're stored properly.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Properly Store Wine

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  1. 1
    Keep open wine in the fridge. Whether you’re drinking a bottle of white or red wine, seal the bottle closed with a wine stopper or screw the top back on. Then, store it in the fridge to help preserve its freshness, says Perng.
  2. 2
    Store unopened wine on its side in a cool, dark area. Perng advises that you store your unopened wine away from direct light and “somewhere with a very consistent climate” that stays between 43 and 64°F (6-17°C). If the wine is corked, she says to lay your wine horizontally so the liquid touches the cork to keep it expanded, which helps prevent air from getting in the bottle.
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Section 4 of 4:

Can you drink bad wine?

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  1. Drinking a small amount of bad wine may be okay, though you might not enjoy the taste or smell. Wine typically goes bad due to oxidation, so there’s not a great risk of getting food poisoning. However, in rare cases, wine can become contaminated with bacteria, which can potentially lead to food poisoning symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [6]
    • If your wine is stored properly and shows no signs of bacterial contamination, you may be able to enjoy your wine a few days past its typical “spoilage” date. If it tastes or smells like vinegar, though, you probably want to toss it.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8031158/how-to-tell-if-your-wine-has-gone-bad/
      2. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8031158/how-to-tell-if-your-wine-has-gone-bad/
      3. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8031158/how-to-tell-if-your-wine-has-gone-bad/
      4. ↑ https://travellingcorkscrew.com.au/blog/long-wine-keep-opened/
      5. ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/01/22/how-long-does-wine-last-unopened/
      6. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23006002

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