How Long Does Wine Last After Opening? (Hint: Not Forever)

So you opened a bottle of wine, enjoyed a few glasses, then… completely forgot about it. Hey, it happens! Here’s how long you’ve got before that wine goes from good to drink to down the drain.

🍷 Red Wine

Lasts: 3–5 days
General Rule: Reds will stay tasty for a few days when chilled, so re-cork it and toss it in the fridge. Yep, even though it’s a red. Just let it warm back up before pouring. 

Pro tip: Full-bodied reds (like Cab or Syrah) last longer than lighter ones.

🥂 White & Rosé Wine

Lasts: 3–5 days
General Rule: Keep it cold and capped. Lighter wines hold up for a few days, but they’ll start losing their oomph after that. 

Pro tip: A vacuum-sealed stopper = extra shelf life.

🍾 Sparkling Wine

Lasts: 1–3 days
General Rule: The bubbles don’t stick around forever. Use a legit sparkling wine stopper and drink it sooner rather than later. 

Pro tip: A spoon in the bottle? Sorry, that’s a myth (trust us, we’ve tried).

How to Tell It’s Gone Bad

• Smells funky (Is that vinegar? Nail polish?)
  

• Tastes flat, sour, or just off
  

• Looks cloudy or sad

Bottom Line: If it smells weird or tastes off, dump it. Remember, life’s too short for bad wine.

TL;DR: Opened wine doesn’t last forever, but that doesn’t mean you need to chug it. If you store it right, you’ll get a few extra days of sipping. And if you need a new bottle, Winc’s got you!