How long can wine be kept after opening the lid?

Release time:

2022-04-08

Many people think that the wine should be drunk immediately after opening, afraid that the wine will lose its flavor after opening for a long time, and will deteriorate. So, how long can wine be kept after opening the lid?

葡萄酒开盖后能可以保存多长时间？

There are a lot of old rules about wine, from the type of container it should be in to how expensive it should be. A common myth is that a bottle of wine should be drunk the same day it is opened. While it's true that wine begins to oxidize the moment it's uncorked, there's no reason to guzzle a litre by yourself, or pour the rest of the liquid down the drain. In fact, an open bottle of wine can still last for several days if you know how to store it properly.

If you open a new bottle of Cabernet just to have a drink or two, then leave the cork on. Cork has been an important part of the winemaking process for centuries. The material is dense enough to keep the liquid fresh without completely sealing off the air. A small amount of oxygen will allow the wine's flavor to continue to develop, while too much oxygen will produce a sour, unpleasant taste.

When you're done pouring the wine, putting the cork back in the bottle will prevent more oxygen from reaching the wine. If a cork is accidentally damaged or thrown away, a wad of plastic wrap wrapped in rubber bands and aluminum foil can be used as a stopper, or a reusable wine bottle stopper can also work.

How long can wine be kept after opening the lid?

Keeping open wine in the refrigerator can reduce its exposure to other harmful elements, such as heat and light. Most red and white wines will keep for 2 to 5 days when refrigerated before their flavor deteriorates. However, sparkling wines are no longer drinkable after one to three days, while some natural wines can spoil in as little as a day. Red wines with a high tannin content that can be bought in the supermarket usually have the longest shelf life after opening the bottle, up to seven days.

Since the shelf life of different varieties of wine varies greatly, the best way to judge the freshness of a wine is to taste it. Over-oxidized wine doesn't taste good, but a sip won't make you uncomfortable. If you don't want to drink wine that may go bad, you can also judge its quality by sight and smell. If the wine turns brown in color, or has a vinegarish smell, it means it has been oxidized, which means it's time to throw it away and open a new bottle of wine.

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