The longevity of a wine after opening depends on its style and storage conditions. Once opened, the wine is exposed to oxygen, triggering several irreversible chemical reactions called oxidation. The wine loses its liveliness and fruity aromas.
According to experts, most still wines can last 1 to 5 days if properly closed with the cork stopper. But, a lot depends on their style, quality, the quantity left in the bottle and preserved conditions after opening.
In hot environments, the chemical reactions of oxidation are faster than in colder ones. For this reason, after opening, all wines, including the red ones, should be stored in the refrigerator in an upright position to slow down the oxidation process. If you have a wine refrigerator, you may keep them at the correct serving temperature. If not should be preserved in your "normal" refrigerator. The alcohol content, the acidity and the tannins also work as a preservative, so wines with higher contents of these components tend to last longer.
If you have a vacuum pump which extracts the air from the bottle, it is possible to extend the wine's shelf life in better conditions since this is another process that will slow down oxidation.
It is also true that this is a topic with no consensus, as in many other issues related to wine, there are many different approaches and understandings. Consider these tips as a rough guide and make your own experiences.
Note that we are addressing the issue of preserving a wine after opening for later consumption. Oxidation is often carried out purposely, through decanting, to bring out the wine's aromas and flavours, making it more expressive and aromatic.
White wines and light rosés
They can last between 3 a 5 dias. The bottles should be kept in the refrigerator sealed with a cork stopper. Be aware that these wines lose their fruity aromas and vivacity. Those with more acidity, such as whites from colder climates, tend to last longer. But, as we mentioned, use your experience and intuition. The quality of the wine is another important factor. If we talk about wines produced in large quantities, 2 days may be the most adequate time to drink them.
Full-bodied white and rosé wines
They can last up to 3 days. The bottles should be kept in the fridge sealed with a cork. Generally, these wines are subject to more oxygen during ageing, so they oxidize more quickly.
Sparkling wines
They can last between 1 and 3 days but require a specific stopper to preserve their fizz and should be in the refrigerator. If you don't have a champagne stopper, this is one of the cases in which it is best to drink it the same day.
Light red wines
They can last between 2 and 3 days. The bottles should be kept in the fridge sealed with a cork. Generally, these wines have a lower alcohol content and fewer tannins and once opened, their life is shorter than a full-bodied red wine.
Medium-bodied red wines
They may last between 3 and 4 days. The bottles should be kept in the fridge sealed with a cork. Don't forget that the quantity of wine in the bottle is another variable that affects how long it will last. The less wine is left in the bottle more surface area is filled with oxygen, meaning that the bottle will last less time.
Full-bodied red wines
They can last between 5 and 6 days. The bottles should be kept in the refrigerator, sealed with a cork.
Fortified Wines
Fortified wine is a wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added to stop fermentation. Besides a high alcohol content, these wines are also sweet. By stopping fermentation, the natural sugars from the grapes are not all fermented. The sugar content of these wines is also high. Alcohol and sugar are two powerful preservatives, so the life of these wines after opening is different to a still wine. Of course, although the time is much longer, it also differs depending on the style and stored conditions. Here is a guide to some of the most famous fortified wines.
Port Wine
The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto recommends:
Vintage: 1 to 2 days
LBV: 4 to 5 days
Crusted: 4 to 5 days
Ruby and Ruby Reserve: 8 to 10 days
Tawny/Tawny Reserve: 3 to 4 weeks
Tawny with an indication of age (10, 20, 30, 40 years): 1 to 4 months (younger ones less time, older ones longer)
White with an indication of age (10, 20, 30, 40 years): from 1 to 4 months (the youngest less time, the oldest longer)
Harvest: from 1 to 4 months (younger ones less time, older ones longer)Standard whites depending on style: Modern (fresh and fruity): 8 - 10 days; Traditional (oxidative style): 15 - 20 days
Madeira Wine
Madeira wine is one of the styles of wine whose durability is not very well known due to its ageing process (estufagem or canteiro). Some say they are almost indestructible. In the "estufagem" process, the wine is heated for at least three months and then subject to an ageing period of at least 90 days at room temperature. In the “canteiro" process, the wines age in casks in warehouses with higher temperatures for at least two years.
And, one last tip, if the wine has already lost its vivacity and freshness, you can always use it in cooking.
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