How long is wine drinkable once opened?

Carly Merrett

Kiss of wine

An age-old question. We give you the simple and not-so-simple run down so you can waste less wine! It’s our favourite drink, after all!


When will wine go bad once opened?


The short answer is 3-5 days! 


However, like most other things wine-related, there’s no exact answer for every bottle or style of wine. Although, it's a good rule of thumb.

How long is white wine drinkable once opened?

White Wine

Light white, sweet white and rose: Up to 7 days, with the cork!
The flavour will change slightly due to oxidation, but the wine can still be good to drink up to 7 days after opening. 

Full-bodied: 3-5 days, with the cork!
Like your lighter white, full-bodied whites will oxidise and look some of their vibrancy, but they’re otherwise fine for a few days. Oak-aged whites tend to store more oxygen so will be quicker to oxidise
How long is red wine drinkable once opened?

Red Wine

3-5 days in a cool dark place, with the cork in!
Your fuller-bodied and acidic red wines will last a bit longer. The increased tannins in red wine protect it against oxidation. Lighter reds are more susceptible to spoiling. 
How long is sparkling wine drinkable once opened?

Sparkling wine

1-3 days with a wine stopper. 
Sparkling wine is more finicky than the rest. That’s because they quickly lose their carbonation after opening
How long is natural wine drinkable once opened?

Natural Wine

1-2 days, with the cork in.
Given the lack of additives, natural wine isn’t likely to last as long as conventional wine once opened. So, it’s best to invite your friend over for this one. 

To learn more about Natural Wine, check out our post on it here!
Storage tips for keeping your wine fresh

Storage tips for keeping your wine fresh

✓ Red: A chiller is perfect but, if you don’t have one, then in the fridge is better than not.

✓ Sparkling: Champagne or Sparkling wine using traditional methods will last longer than, say, Prosecco. 

✓ If you’re often leaving some wine left over, invest in a vacuum cap. These will keep your wine fresher for longer.

✓ Keep all wines out of direct natural light. Dim or dark places are best. This is also true for unopened wine!

✓ Wine that’s gone bad simply turns to vinegar, so don’t worry too much if you’ve accidentally copped a glass of bad wine. It won't hurt you, only your tastebuds.

Wine that is the least likely to go bad is wine that’s been drunk already. This is just one of the reasons canned wine is so convenient and a nice alternative to bottles. Call us cheeky, but it’s true! 


At just 250mls, it’s a good glass and a half of wine, which is pretty manageable for an evening. You are certainly far less likely to be worried about wastage!

To pick up a pack of our delicious (half) pint-sized wines, check out our online store!

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