Tonight is a night of self-control and there is still wine leftover in the bottle. Placing a wine stopper in the bottle or screwing the lid back on should keep it tasting fresh for awhile. But does wine expire? Is there potential for it going completely terrible? Wine lovers, like myself, will not like the answer.
Does Wine Expire?
Yes, wine does expire. Quality wine will last years on end, but only if it is unopened and properly stored. However, according to Can It Go Bad, if the wine you own is "quite (an) inexpensive wine, it shouldn’t be kept that long – using it within a year or two is a good idea."
An opened bottle is a different story. Unfortunately, an opened bottle will only last a few days. White wines average three to seven days, while red wines average three to five days, with the potential of a week. It is important to open a bottle with the intention of drinking it fairly quickly, especially sparkling wine, as it will go flat within a couple of days after opening.
How To Tell If Wine Has Expired
Telling if an open bottle of wine has gone bad is simple. The smell and taste of the wine should have changed, creating an unusual smell and taste. Additionally, if the color of the wine becomes slightly different, there is a good chance that it is expired, and the best bet is to toss it in the trash.
Do not fall victim to expired wine. It all comes down to properly storing the wine before opening and quickly consuming the wine after opening, whether that is drinking it or cooking with it. However, if expired wine does enter your life, it does not have to be a complete waste, get creative!