Does Wine Expire?

 

You’ve just discovered a forgotten bottle at the back of your cupboard, a gift from five years ago, or perhaps a souvenir from a vineyard visit. Is it still good to drink, or has it turned?

Unlike perishable foods with use-by dates, wine is a living product that continues to evolve in the bottle. How well it lasts largely depends on you — your selection and how you store your labels.

While everyday drinking wines purchased from your local bottle shop, typically whites, rosés, and lighter reds, are best consumed within a few years of their vintage, others, particularly labels with the proper structure, tannins and acidity, require time to develop more nuanced top and bottom tasting notes.  

So then, how should you store wine bottles so they’re at their best? That depends entirely on the type of wine and how it’s stored.

How long can I store wine at room temperature?

Temperature fluctuations, light exposure, humidity levels, and vibration all play a role in whether your wine reaches its full potential or becomes a vinocidal.

If you’re thinking of a typical Australian home, where temperatures can swing from 15°C in winter to well over 30°C in summer, and appliances can overheat, your favourite white can quickly turn in a matter of weeks rather than years. While Aussies love their time in the sun, your wine doesn’t. UV light can accelerate chemical reactions in wine, causing it to age prematurely and become unsalvageable.

Even when you leave your bottles in a dark cupboard, they’re still vulnerable to humidity. Whether it’s from steam wafting from a cooktop, moisture from a clothes dryer or just Australia’s fluctuating weather, humidity can damage the seal of a cork, exposing your wine to oxidative stress. 

Keeping bottles in cupboards is a no-go, especially if you’re starting a wine collection or saving a prized label for a special occasion. So if you’re wondering how long you can store wine at room temperature, it’s best to limit it to a few hours on a tabletop to let it breathe before pouring.

How long can you store white wine?

It varies significantly by style. Light, crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are generally best enjoyed within two to three years of their vintage. These wines are valued for their fresh, vibrant character, which tends to fade over time.

However, premium white Burgundy, aged Riesling, and quality Chardonnay can develop extraordinary complexity over 10 to 20 years. The difference? Structure, acidity, and storage conditions. A well-made Hunter Valley Semillon, for instance, can transform magnificently over 15 years, but only if stored in a climate-controlled environment away from heat, humidity and light.

How long can you store sparkling wine?

Most non-vintage Champagne and Australian sparkling wines are released ready to drink and maintain their quality for three to five years from purchase. The bubbles are more delicate than still wines, and extended storage without proper conditions can result in flat, oxidised bottles.

Vintage Champagne and prestige cuvées are the exception. These wines can age gracefully for 10 to 20 years, developing toasty, complex characteristics. However, storing sparkling wine requires even more attention to temperature stability because the pressure inside the bottle makes them particularly sensitive to heat, humidity and air.

How long can you store red wine?

The lifespan of red wine varies dramatically depending on the style, quality, and storage conditions. Red table wines are typically designed for consumption within 1 to 3 years of their release, while premium wines from renowned regions like Barossa Valley, Margaret River, or Bordeaux can evolve beautifully for 10-20 years or more when stored correctly.

Full-bodied reds with higher tannin levels, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo, generally have greater ageing potential than lighter styles like Pinot Noir or Grenache, though exceptional examples of any variety can surprise collectors. The key is understanding that not all red wine improves with age; in fact, the vast majority of wine produced globally is intended to be enjoyed young and fresh.

How to store fortified wine

Fortified varieties differ from table wines because they have a higher alcohol content and added spirit, which acts as a preservative. Port, Sherry, Madeira, and Australian fortified Muscats can last for decades, even centuries in some cases.

Vintage Port is designed for long-term ageing and can improve for 20 to 50 years in the bottle. How to store opened port wine is another matter entirely. Once opened, vintage port should be consumed within a few days, whilst Tawny Port can last several weeks if recorked and kept in a cool, dark place. The oxidative ageing these wines undergo before bottling doesn’t mean they’re immune to spoilage once exposed to air.

How to store plum wine?

Like white wines, plum wines are typically enjoyed for their fresh fruit character and are best consumed within 1 to 2 years of purchase. It doesn’t improve with extended ageing and should be kept in cool, dark conditions to preserve its delicate flavours.

How long will an open bottle last?

Once you’ve uncorked a bottle, the clock starts ticking. Most red wines, particularly those with fuller bodies and robust tannin structures, will maintain their character for 3-5 days when re-corked and stored in a cool, dark place, while lighter whites and rosés typically fade after 2-3 days.

Fortified wines like Port or Sherry, thanks to their higher alcohol content and added spirit, can last several weeks or even months after opening, making them a smart choice for collectors who enjoy a glass without committing to finishing the bottle immediately.

How you should store wine bottles

Getting the most out of your favourite varietals depends on various factors, including:

• Temperature consistency is paramount. Wine should be stored at 12°C to 14°C, without fluctuations. Even a seemingly stable home environment experiences daily and seasonal temperature changes that slowly degrade wine quality.
• Humidity levels between 60% and 70% prevent corks from drying out. A dried cork allows oxygen to seep in, spoiling the wine, while too much humidity encourages mould growth on labels and corks.
• Darkness is essential. UV light causes chemical reactions that create unpleasant flavours and aromas, which is why wine bottles are often bottled in dark-hued glass.
• Stillness matters more than most collectors realise. Vibration disturbs sediment and can interfere with the slow chemical processes that create an aged wine’s complexity.
• Bottle position is the final consideration. Wines sealed with natural cork must be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist and swollen, creating an airtight seal.

How to store wine without it expiring

For collectors storing anything beyond everyday drinking wines, home storage introduces too many variables to trust for cellar-worthy wines. Even built-in wine racks and dedicated wine fridges can’t replicate the stable conditions of a professional facility.

If you’re looking to store wine for multiple years, even a few months, it’s time to consider Managed Cellarage services. Wine Ark offers purpose-built facilities needed to protect your investment and your favourite bottle’s flavour. With locations across the country for convenient access, and receipt and dispatch services, you can ensure your favourite labels taste just as the winemaker intended decades later.

Book your wine storage today to ensure your favourite wines maintain their peak flavour and quality, whether it has been two years or two decades.