Does red wine go in the fridge once opened?
In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “does red wine go in the fridge once opened?”. We will discuss what is the shelf life of unopened red wine, and how to know when opened red wine turns bad. In the end, we will understand if drinking bad red wine makes you sick.
Does red wine go in the fridge once opened?
Yes, red wine can go in the fridge once opened. Red wine may be stored both in the refrigerator and the freezer without any problems.
When you put an open bottle of red wine in the refrigerator, you ensure that it is kept at a constant temperature. The colder temperature will help slow down the oxidation process.
Just keep in mind that you need to get it out of the refrigerator one hour before you want to serve it so that it can warm up.
After being opened, wines may deteriorate in two ways. As a consequence of this, the wine develops a harsh, vinegar-like fragrance.
Oxidation of the alcohol may also lead to an unpleasant, nutty, bruised fruit taste, which takes away from the wine’s freshness and fruity character. Because all of these processes involve, the temperature at which a bottle of red wine is stored has a direct impact on how quickly either of them will take place.
What is the shelf life of unopened red wine?
Because wines go through a variety of procedures before being bottled, it may be difficult to estimate when they will run out of shelf life.
Most red wines can last between 2 and 10 years if they are stored properly. This is also impacted by the acidity, sugar concentration, and tannin content of the wine.
Tannins are a kind of chemical that serve two purposes, they prevent the red wine from oxidizing and increase its capacity to mature. In the case of red wine, certain bottles are designed to be stored for longer periods than others.
How to know when the opened red wine turns bad?
Put a little bit of it in your glass and examine it for the following characteristics.
The Appearances
The wine seems foggy and also leaves a film on the inside of the bottle after being poured. Even though wine is initially clear, if it becomes foggy later on, it may be contaminated by microorganisms in the bottle.
It will eventually become a different hue and begin to brown. When wine is left out in the air, it becomes brown in a manner similar to that of an apple.
There are some wonderful tawny wines out there, so wine browning isn’t necessarily a negative thing. It shows how much oxidative damage the wine has had.
It’s possible that there are a few very little bubbles inside of it. The bubbles formed as a consequence of an unexpected second fermentation taking place inside the bottle.
Unfortunately, it will not be as delightful as Champagne, rather, it will be oddly sour and fizzy.
The Smell
Expired wine has a strong, gritty smell. It will have a fragrance that is sour and medicinal, similar to that of nail polish remover, vinegar, or paint thinner.
When wine is exposed to heat and air, bacteria flourish and create acetic acid and acetaldehyde, resulting in these odors.
The Taste
To get this out of the way, consuming a bottle of wine that has spoiled won’t make you sick, but it’s definitely not the best idea to drink it anyhow. When the wine has gone bad because it was left open for too long, it tastes harsh and acidic, like vinegar.
Horseradish-like effects are probable on your nasal passages. In addition, as a result of the oxidation, it often tastes like caramelized applesauce.
Does drinking bad red wine make you sick?
Unlike most items that linger in the refrigerator for a week, it is acceptable to consume older red wines. There are no expiry dates associated with red wine.
This isn’t like a carton of milk that has reached the end of its shelf life and must be thrown away. The wine develops its flavor with time, and if it’s kept properly, it may continue to improve with age.
If an opened red wine in your refrigerator seems suspect, you may do the three-step test described above. In the event that it does not pass any of the tests, you should probably abandon it.
Other FAQs about Wine that you may be interested in.
How much alcohol is in champagne?
Conclusion
In this brief article, we answered the question “does red wine go in the fridge once opened?” We discussed what is the shelf life of unopened red wine and how to know when opened red wine turns bad. In the end, we understand if drinking bad red wine makes you sick.
References
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-store-red-wine-after-opening
https://advancedmixology.com/a/s/blogs/art-of-mixology/how-long-does-red-wine-last
