How long can you keep wine? The answer varies depending on the type of wine and whether the bottle is open or closed. More expensive wines often have longer storage potential, but each wine is unique:
- Opened wine bottle: Usually lasts 1 to 3 days.
- Closed wine bottle: Can have a lifespan of 0 to 100 years, and we'll explain how to determine that later.
Shelf life and preservation of wine
Wine contains natural preservatives such as alcohol, acid and tannin that help extend its shelf life. Producers often add sulfur dioxide to protect the wine from spoilage, which will be indicated on the label. Here is a general guide to storing different types of wine:
- Fresh and fruity white wine: Best consumed within 1 year, ideally before the next harvest.
- Light red wine: Optimal up to 1 year.
- Full-bodied white wine, aged in wood: shelf life of 2 to 4 years.
- Strong red wine: can last well from 3 to 6 years.
- Sweet white wine: Shelf life between 2 and 10 years.
Every wine bottle tells a different story in terms of shelf life, and we hope this guide helps you enjoy your wine at its best.
Storage of white and red wine
White wine:
Fresh white wines are often best when opened on the first day. On the second day, you will often notice that the fresh fruity aromas have diminished somewhat and the liveliness is lost. An exception to this are wines with a high acid content, such as Riesling. These have a longer shelf life and can still be enjoyed on the second or third day. In general, wines from cooler climates can be stored better after opening than wines from warmer regions.
- General white wine: Best consumed within 1 day.
- White wine with high acidity: can be kept for 2 to 3 days.
Important: Store the bottle with the cork in the wine cooler to ensure optimal storage.
Red wine:
The more tannins and acidity a red wine has, the longer it will keep after opening. Light red wines are best drunk within a day or two. Stronger red wines will stay good a little longer (3-4 days after opening) and in some cases may even become more palatable if drunk after a day or more.
- Light red wine: Drink within 2 days.
- Strong red wine: lasts 3 to 4 days.
Tip: Store your opened red wines in the wine cooler so they stay fresh longer.
Tips for optimal wine storage
To get the most out of your stored wine and avoid premature aging, it is crucial that you store the wine correctly. A wine cooler with dual temperature control creates the perfect climate for your wine bottles and ensures ideal conditions to preserve the quality and taste of each wine.
