Why most wine goes bad

The most common way a wine goes bad is when acetic acid bacteria consumes the alcohol in wine and metabolizes it into acetic acid and acetaldehyde.

This causes the wine to have a sharp vinegar-like smell and a spicy, bruised apple-like taste that is very unpleasant. I’m sure no one wants their sweet, refreshing palate friendly turn sour or flat.

All wines can be stored depending on the type. Fortified wines can last, open, for up to a month, but most other wine last only about three to five days. Not to worry, for every type of wine, there are suggestions on how to store and preserve them after opening.

The Sparkling Wine

One to three days in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper is the most. The sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening. Only the traditional method sparkling wine, such as Cava or Champagne, will last a little longer than a tank method sparkling wine such as Prosecco.

Light White, Sweet White and Rosé Wine

Most light, white and rosé wines will be drinkable for up to a week when stored in your refrigerator with a cork. You’ll notice the taste will change subtly after the first day as the wine oxidizes. Some wines will even taste better after the first day, including minerally cool-climate wines like Northern Italian Pinot Grigio, French Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Full-Bodied White Wine

Full-bodied white wines like oaked Chardonnay and Viognier tend to have much less acidity which will cause them to ruin more quickly than light white wines. Be certain to always keep them corked and in the fridge just for five days at most. If you drink a lot of this type of wine, it’s a really smart idea to invest in vacuum caps.

The Reds

The more tannin and acidity the red wine has, the longer it will last open. So, a light red with very little tannin, such as Pinot Noir, won’t last open as long as a bold red like Petite Sirah.

Some wines will even improve after the first day open. Store open red wines for three to five days in a chiller or a dark cool place after opening them. If you don’t have a chiller your fridge is better than letting the wine sit out in a 70°F (21°C) room.

Fortified Wine

28 days in a cool dark place with a cork, Fortified wines like Port, Sherry, Marsala, and Madeira have very long shelf lives because of the addition of brandy.

While these wines do look marvelous displayed on a high shelf, they will lose their wonderful flavours more quickly from exposure to light and heat. The sweeter the fortified wine, the longer it will last. 28 days in a cool dark place with a cork isn’t a bad idea.