Leftover Wine

Even if it's past its prime for sipping, it's often still fine for the pan!

Usually— wine that's been open longer than the recommended time won't make you sick, but it won't taste good either. The quality drops due to oxidation.

How long wine lasts after opening:

• Red wine: 3–5 days (store in fridge or cool place)

• White/rosé: 3–5 days (refrigerate)

• Sparkling: 1–3 days (use a stopper, refrigerate)

• Fortified (Port, Sherry): 1–3 weeks (cool, dark place)

Signs it’s bad: Sour smell, mold, flat or off taste, color change.

You can use opened wine for cooking — and it lasts longer for that purpose than for drinking. Store it in the fridge with the cap or cork on.

Cooking with opened wine:

• Red/white: Good for 1–2 months (fridge)

• Fortified (Sherry, Marsala): 2–3 months

• Sparkling: Use within a few days (if not flat)

If it smells like vinegar or is very sour, skip it — it may ruin the dish.