How long does alcohol really last after it’s been opened?

hose “Best by,” “Use by” and “Sell before” dates stamped on the food we buy can be a source of continued confusion for consumers.

Earlier this year, Congressional efforts to clarify reliable expiration dates only highlighted the problem.

But when it comes to alcohol, where expiration dates are rarely available, how can we be sure our spirits are still sippable? While we know certain types of alcohol, like wine, can improve with age, what happens when a bottle has already been opened?

From Champagne to Bailey’s Irish Cream, here’s a consumer’s guide to how long your favorite bottles of alcohol will last once you pop the cork or break the seal.

1. Wine.

hile some wines improve with age, once opened, their shelf life drops dramatically. Dry red and white table wines (i.e. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon) are only good for approximately three to five days after opening.

Alternatively, fortified wines such as Port and sweet wines such as Sauternes can last about a month after opening due to the acidity and high sugar content which act as preservatives. “A bottle of Sauternes can keep in the fridge for three to five weeks – if you can resist for that long!” says Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Bordeaux’s Chateau Climens. She adds, “it is even better laid down with a plastic cork which minimizes exposure to oxygen, wine’s number one enemy.”


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