How long does an open bottle of wine last?

We’ve all been there. Over the weekend you opened up a beautiful bottle of wine but didn’t finish it. It’s now mid-week and you’re wondering, is my wine still good? How long does a bottle of wine last after it’s been opened.

Most wines will last from 3-7 days after they are opened. Did you drink wine on day 8? Don’t worry, unlike spoiled food, spoiled wine won’t harm you. White wines and red wines have slightly different timelines after they are opened. Light white wines last about 5-7 days if stored in the refrigerator and fuller bodied white wines (such as heavily oaked Chardonnay), will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

For red wines, if kept in a cool, dark place with a cork they will last 3-5 days. What happens after the recommended storage time? After wine has been open for a while, the alcohol will begin to oxidize, this can make the wine taste bitter, dull or sometime give it a vinegar taste.

One of the best ways to enjoy wine if you know you won’t drink the whole bottle is to use a Coravin. Using a Coravin allows you to pour wine without removing the cork so the wine stays fresh as if it has never been opened.