Wine is a beverage with unique qualities, each one has specific organoleptic characteristics that differentiate it from the rest, they also evolve over time and knowing how long a bottle of wine lasts is important for every good lover of this fascinating wine.
Wine bottles have an optimal life span, one that allows them to express themselves openly showing all their charm, potential and virtues, but if you do not know how long a bottle of wine lasts once opened or completely closed, the experience can end up being negative. On this occasion we will discover a little more about this detail that, although it may seem insignificant, can mark a turning point in our tasting, and that is that a bottle of wine has a life time.
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how long does a wine last?
Wines have a biological life span, that is, they are born, develop, reach a high point and then die, so it is important to know how long a bottle of wine lasts. We could say then that wine has a life curve, its duration depends on the type and characteristics of the years. That is why there are wines that are suitable to be consumed for a few months after their elaboration and others that can exceed 40 years.
Conditions to take into account when consuming wine
In any case, there are some conditions to keep in mind that prevent a wine from losing its qualities before its time, and that also determine how long a bottle of wine lasts, among them we can mention:
- Temperature: A wine does not accept sudden changes in temperature. If we wish to store it at home, the temperature of the chosen place should be between 11º and 14ºC, and it should never be exposed to temperatures above 21ºC or below 10ºC.
- Position: The wine bottle should always remain in a horizontal or inverted position, in this way it will be properly preserved since the cork remains elastic and in contact with the wine
- Darkness: Wine bottles should be kept in a place where there is no incidence of sunlight, as they cause the wine to mature too quickly and it will spoil sooner than expected.
If care is taken with regard to their conservation, we can say that wine bottles can last a few years, but let’s see how long a bottle of winereally lasts: Young wines: wines that have not been aged, whether white, red, rosé or sparkling, should preferably be consumed within 2 years of bottling. Aged white wines: These wines can be consumed between 2 and 7 years after bottling to enjoy their qualities.
Aged red wines: This type of wine is best consumed between 5 and 10 years after its production. Gran Reserva and Gran Reservared wines : These are the ones that can reach the longest maturation time, so the optimum time of consumption can be extended up to 15 years.
Sparkling wines: This type of wine is the one that loses its carbonic gas with time, so it is recommended to be consumed in the year of its elaboration with a maximum time of two years in good conditions.
Fortified wines: these wines generally vary according to the type, for example, sherry, fino and amontillado wines are recommended for one year, while oloroso wines are recommended for 5 to 10 years and cream for up to 15 years. Knowing how long a bottle of wine lasts will allow us to properly enjoy the organoleptic benefits of this delicious wine that for years has captivated young and old.
how long does an open wine last?
It is very likely that you have been at home and uncorked a bottle of wine to share or simply to taste it, but do you know how long an open bottle of wine lasts? if this doubt arose and you have not been able to answer it, here we tell you how long a bottle of wine lasts.
When we open our bottle of wine, a kind of countdown begins, that is to say, its life time begins to decay. From the moment we remove the cork from the bottle, it begins to oxygenate and release aromas, and it is just this small oxidation that gives rise to the aging of the wine.
what should we take into account when we have an open wine?
However, with the passage of time the contact of the wine with oxygen causes it to lose some of its qualities, so we can lose freshness, aromas and flavor, which is why we must take into account the following:
- White wines will last about 3 days covered with a cork and in the refrigerator
- Rosé wines are very similar to white wines and will last about 3 days in the refrigerator and corked.
- Young red wines can last up to one week corked as long as they are kept in a cool, unlit place.
- Aged red wines such as Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas are more sophisticated wines, so they lose their properties more quickly and last about 2 or 3 days in a cool place without light.
- Sweet wines last several weeks.
- Sparkling wines are the ones that last the least once opened, so they should be consumed within 24 hours after uncorking.
But not everything is bad, an open bottle of wine can be preserved to give it a little more life, for this we must avoid as much as possible the oxidation process. Keeping our bottle of wine open in a refrigerator slows down its oxidation and keeping it in a horizontal position allows the cork to remain moist.
how long does a closed wine last?
Wine has a shelf life, a space in which it reaches its ideal point to widely expose all its qualities, properties and characteristics, that is why while our bottle is closed we should keep it just the right time. It is not true that the longer it lasts, the better its attributes are, since with the passage of time it can lose its virtues and we then have a sour broth, without flavor and with unpleasant aromas.
what should we take into account when we have a closed wine?
The bottle of wine should remain just the right time in shelter and under optimal conditions of light, temperature and position, not forgetting that sunlight detracts from its qualities. 
Young red, white, rosé or sparkling wines can remain closed for up to two years, during which time their qualities are preserved in a balanced way. Crianza white wines can remain closed for between two and seven years, while crianza red wines can remain closed for five to ten years, while a long-aged wine can remain closed for up to 20 years.
Wine is a beverage that manages to make thousands of people around the world rave about it, who get a special touch to the palate and its aromas intoxicate their way, but knowing its shelf life is essential to fully enjoy it.
