Have you ever found a half-finished bottle of Merlot on the counter and can’t remember how many days it’s been there? Should you throw it away or take a sip during your next Netflix session?
So, how long is a bottle of wine still good to drink after opening? The short answer: “It depends on the wine,” says professional sommelier Sarah Tracey.
Below, you’ll learn how long an open bottle of wine stays drinkable and how long each type of wine typically lasts once uncorked.
Why Does Wine Have a Drinking Window?
Before we go into specific wines and how long they stay enjoyable, it’s important to understand why wine has a life cycle: think of wine like an avocado.
When wine is in the bottle, it undergoes a process called micro-oxygenation. Tiny amounts of oxygen permeate the closure and start interacting with the organic molecules in the wine, slowly maturing and breaking it down.
The same thing happens when you expose an avocado to air. Wine experiences micro-oxygenation the entire time it’s in the bottle, becoming riper and more evolved until it eventually reaches its “peak” drinking quality.
Once it hits that peak, its quality starts to decline rapidly. Just like an avocado has a perfect ripeness window before turning brown and mushy, wine goes through a similar journey.
Once a bottle of wine is opened, it’s exposed to a much greater amount of oxygen, drastically speeding up the oxidation process. That’s why you have a limited time to enjoy it at its best. However, while wine that has passed its peak might taste a little flat or aged, it’s not necessarily harmful to drink. As long as it tastes good to you, feel free to drink it—just like in desperate times, a slightly brown avocado is better than no avocado at all.
How Long Do Sparkling Wines Last?
Sparkling wines like Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco have the shortest drinking window—once the cork is popped, the pressure in the bottle that holds the bubbles dissipates, and the wine goes flat. A sparkling wine stopper can help for a day or so, but the sommelier recommends drinking it the same day you open it. This is why sparkling wines are widely available in half-bottles and even single-serving “minis”—to prevent leftovers for solo or duo drinkers who just want one glass.
How Long Do White Wines Last?
If you want a white wine that lasts longer, your best bet is wines from cooler-climate regions because these wines naturally have higher acidity. While low-acid white wines last about three to four days, high acidity will keep your wine fresh and vibrant for at least five days in the fridge.
If you transfer the wine to an airtight container, like a glass jar, before refrigerating it, you may enjoy it for up to a full week after opening. Famous examples of cool-climate white wines include Pinot Gris from Oregon, Riesling from New York’s Finger Lakes, Chardonnay from Chablis in northern France, Pinot Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige in Italy, and Sauvignon Blanc from Central Otago in New Zealand. If you wait too long and can’t drink it, use leftover white wine in risotto, soup, or a vegetable stew.
How Long Do Red Wines Last?
For maximum shelf life of red wines after opening, choose wines with higher tannin levels. Tannin is a compound found in grape seeds, stems, and skins that helps protect the wine from oxidation and extends its longevity. Some grape varieties naturally contain more tannins than others, and you’ll find them primarily in red wine since white wines are made without skins and seeds.
Red wines with naturally high tannins include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Nebbiolo. Low-tannin reds like Pinot Noir and Merlot typically last two to three days, but wines with higher tannins should remain delicious for up to five days after opening, as long as you store them properly. Leftover red wine you don’t want to drink is great for slow cooking, such as a beef stew.
Photos: Pexels. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
