How Long Does an Open Bottle Last?
Once you open a bottle, the clock starts. Here's how long different wines stay at their best — and the simple techniques that buy you more time.
· 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Most still wines stay good for 2–4 days after opening if recorked and refrigerated — even reds.
- Sparkling wines go flat within 24 hours without a proper stopper, but a dedicated Champagne stopper buys you 2–3 days.
- Fortified wines (port, sherry, Madeira) last weeks to months after opening because the high alcohol slows oxidation.
- The main enemy of an open bottle is oxygen — reducing contact with air (smaller vessel, proper stopper, cold) extends life significantly.
Frequently asked questions
- Can wine go bad in a way that makes you sick?
- Oxidised or vinegary wine is unpleasant but not harmful. The acetic acid that develops is the same as in food vinegar. There's no safety risk — it just tastes bad.
- Does cooking wine need to be fresh?
- No. A wine that's past drinking is usually fine for cooking — heat drives off most off-flavours. Don't cook with something that smells actively unpleasant; otherwise, that three-day-old Merlot is perfectly fine for a braise.
- What's the spoon trick for keeping Champagne fizzy?
- It doesn't work. Tests consistently show the spoon has no effect on carbonation. A proper Champagne stopper is CHF 8–15 and actually works.
- Is a wine still good if it smells slightly vinegary?
- Taste it. If it's hollow and sour with no fruit, it's done. If the vinegary note is faint and you can still taste fruit, it's probably fine to finish today — it won't improve, but it's harmless.
Not sure which wine to pick? Tell our sommelier what you are eating or the occasion and we will find the right bottle — or browse the full sommelia.ch collection.