Can You Drink Old Opened Wine?
Yes. Old wine is not necessarily bad wine, but it may not taste as good as it once did. The aroma and taste of old opened wine may not be as exact as they once did, but it is certainly not harmful.
You may also find mould build-up on the bottle and around the cork disgusting to look at, but you will not get ill drinking from it (unlike spoiled food).
An opened bottle of wine will start to oxidise, affecting the wine’s flavour. The cork of the wine bottle stops the wine from being oxidised. A wine that has oxidised is not harmful to consume.
However, it may not taste as fresh as it did before exposure to oxygen. Many people cannot detect the subtle flavour changes that oxygen causes.
Usually, wine becomes less fruity, crisp and vibrant as it oxidises. Oxidised wine tastes nasty. It is described as a wine that tastes like sherry, with rancio or wet cardboard flavours.
Can Old Wine Make You Sick If The Bottle Is Left Open?
No. You cannot get sick if you drink wine from a bottle left open. However, the smell and the taste of the opened wine are alone enough to make you feel sick.
The taste of opened wine is unpleasant. The colour of both white and red wine will change over time. Opened wine turns into acetic acid, which gives off a vinegar smell.
However, keeping red and white wine in the fridge is advised after you have opened the bottle. This will give a longer life to your wine.
Putting the cork back into the bottle before storing your wine is a good idea to prevent oxidisation. You can also invest in a good quality wine stopper to slower the process of oxidisation.
How Long Will An Open Wine Bottle Last?
Classic wines, once opened, generally last for about 5 to 6 days if kept in a proper condition. Nonetheless, if you are storing an opened bottle of wine you can store it in a cool dark spot for longer (basically a month.) This is because fortified wine contains distilled alcohol, which slows down the process of oxidisation and increases its shelf life.
You will have to store it in the fridge with a cork or wine stopper.
Know More: Wine Bottle Without A Corkscrew
10-Year-Old Wine Is Safe To Drink?
A ten-year-old wine is generally safe to drink. However, it is essential to check the label for any indications that the wine is no longer safe to consume.
Few specific brands are actually meant to drink after years. It basically depends on the wine. If it is a wine that is meant to age, then it is probably safe to drink. If it is a wine that is not meant to age, then it might not be safe to drink.
Know More: Recork Wine
What To Do With Old Opened Wine?
There are a few options for old opened wine.
1. Make Vinegar
Old wine oxidises, so it is best to make vinegar out of it. To make vinegar out of old opened wine, place the wine in a clean, sterilised jar or bottle and cover it with a cloth. Secure the cloth with a rubber band or string, and set the jar in a cool, dark place. Check on the wine every few days, and when it has turned to vinegar, strain it and enjoy!
2. Make Jelly
To make jelly out of old opened wine, mix one cup of wine with one cup of sugar and one tablespoon of gelatine. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then heat it in the microwave for a minute or two. Pour the mixture into a mould and let it set. Enjoy! Now you have gelly made out of your old wine.
3. Use It As Cooking Wine
Old opened wine can be used as cooking wine by adding it to recipes that call for wine. When adding old wine to recipes, it is essential to remember that the flavour of the wine will be more concentrated, so it is important to use less old wine than the recipe calls for. Then enjoy cooking with wine.
How Long Can You Wait To Drink Wine After Opening?
You can drink wine immediately after opening it or wait up to a few days. Generally, you can wait for a week after opening the wine. However, it is best advised to check for any instructions on the wine bottle’s label, if available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can You Get Food Poisoning From Old Wine?
A: No, you cannot get food poisoning from old wine. The reason behind old wine getting bad is oxidation which does not include any harmful bacteria, so it is safe to drink.
2. What Happens If You Drink Old Opened Wine?
A: If you drink old opened wine, it will taste bad. The wine will have lost its flavour and will likely taste sour. Additionally, the wine may cause gastrointestinal distress as it will be fermenting.
3. Can Old Wine Upset Your Stomach?
A: Yes, old wine can upset your stomach. The alcohol and tannins in wine can irritate your digestive system, and the sugar in wine can cause bloating and gas. If you’re sensitive to these things, avoiding old wine is best.
Know More: Broken Cork Out Of A Wine Bottle
