Opening a bottle of wine is a pleasure — but what if you don’t finish it all at once? Unlike spirits, wine begins to oxidize after opening, which gradually changes its flavor, aroma, and texture. So, how long is it still good to drink?

General Guidelines

Sparkling Wine:

1–3 days (refrigerated with a sparkling wine stopper)
Bubbles are the first to disappear due to loss of carbonation.

Light White, Rosé, and Sweet Wines:

3–5 days (refrigerated with a cork)
These wines retain freshness a bit longer, but can start to lose vibrancy.

Full-Bodied White Wines:

3–4 days (refrigerated, ideally with a vacuum stopper)
Oaked whites like Chardonnay are more sensitive to oxygen.

Red Wines:

3–5 days (cool, dark place with cork or wine stopper)
Tannins help reds last a bit longer, but air will eventually flatten them.

Fortified Wines (Port, Sherry, Madeira):

Up to 4 weeks or more
High alcohol content and sugar help preserve them longer — store them in a cool, dark place.