Whether celebrating a special event or simply enjoying its taste at home, a perfect glass of champagne always stands out as a perfect companion. If you have a bottle of half-open champagne at the back of your cupboard and wonder whether it is good or not? Here are your answers!
An unopened bottle of champagne can stay in use for about 3 to 4 years if not a non-vintage one. But if it is a vintage wine, it can last up to 5 to 10 years. The open bottle of champagne can last up to 3 to 5 days.
Champagne is a sparkling wine that has a fruity and crisp taste. Any special occasion feels incomplete without champagne. You can easily pair it with countless meals.
In this article, I have mentioned the shelf life, storage, and signs of spoilage of champagne in detail. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
How Long Does Champagne Last?
Before going further, let’s get a sneak peek at champagne’s shelf life from the table below.
| Type Of Champagne | Opened | Unopened |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage | 3 to 5 days (cool and dry places; recooked) | 5 to 10 years from purchase |
| Non-vintage | 3 to 5 days (cool and dry places; recooked) | 3 to 4 years from purchase |
Opened a Bottle Of Champagne
Well, if you properly seal the bottle and place it in the right way, it can last up to 3 to 5 days. You can also store it in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
Once the bottle is open, it will lose its bubble or fizz within a few hours. You need to make sure you place the cork properly.
It eventually becomes flat, so it is better to drink it as soon as the champagne is opened. However, once the fizz is not there, you can still use it in a recipe such as vegetables or pasta sauce.
Unopened Bottle Of Champagne
Well, if you are wondering whether the unopened bottle of champagne is good for use or not? Let me tell you that an unopened champagne bottle lasts much longer than an opened bottle.
If you want to save your bottle of bubbly for a special occasion, then you must try not to open it. Moreover, pay attention to its storage and keep it correctly.
An unopened bottle of champagne can stay in use for about 3 to 4 years if it is not a non-vintage one. But if it is a vintage wine, then it can last up to 5 to 10 years.
Can you Freeze champagne?
Well, it is not a good idea to store the champagne bottle in the freezer. Placing it in the freezer will freeze the fizz and not stay fizzy and bubbly.
If you want to enjoy it chilled, you can keep it in the refrigerator. You can also place it in a cool and dry area. Remember to keep it upright to avoid leakage.
Does Champagne Go Bad?
Yes, champagne does go bad with the passage of time. I know it is not good news for those with a bottle of champagne in their cupboard. But it’s true, and let’s find out how to check whether it is bad or not.
If you are not experiencing fruity aromas and it just smells like vinegar, it must not be used to serve your guest. In addition, if it has a sour taste and feels unpleasant, it is better to toss it away.
Well, I suggest using champagne when you finish the whole bottle.
How To Tell If Champagne Is Bad?
Want to know whether the champagne is good for use or not? Here I am listing signs of spoilage to help you out. Check for these signs if you have had a champagne bottle placed in the cupboard for a long time.
1. Change in taste
Champagne is admired for its sweet fruity flavors. But if it loses its fruity taste and has a sour taste, it is high time to toss it away as it has gone bad.
2. No popping sign or fizz
We all love champagne for its fizz and sparkling. But if it feels flat and loses its fizz, it indicates it is right to toss it away. All love the popping sound followed by the bubbling fizz, and if it is missing, that means champagne has lost a bit of its charm.
3. Sour smell
Who doesn’t admire the fruity aroma of champagne? But what if it smells like vinegar with water? Yes, you guessed it right! The spoiled champagne loses its sweet fruity taste and smells like vinegar. If you notice that it has a sour smell, then you must discard it.
4. Dry or moldy cork
To check whether the bottle of champagne is good for use or not, check its cork. If it is moldy, then it is not good for use.
5. Change in color
When we talk about the original color of the champagne, it has a pale combo of golden yellow and orange, quite close to beige. It is known for its comforting undertones.
But if its color changes darkened, it is time to throw it away. The dark yellow color of the champagne is a clear indication of its spoilage.
How To Store Champagne To Extend Its Shelf Life?
Wondering how to save champagne from getting spoiled? Here are some effective storage methods you can use to save your champagne bottle.
1. Dark and dry places
If you want to extend the shelf life of champagne, then you must keep it in the dark and dry places. Dry and cool places help to stay away from moisture and sunlight.
2. Avoid sunlight
Ensure you keep the champagne bottle away from heat and direct sunlight. Exposure to the sun has an adverse effect on the aromaticity of the wine.
3. Avoid placing it in the kitchen.
The kitchen is surely not the best place to store the champagne bottle. The temperature in the kitchen always keeps on changing and can’t be constant. This will affect the quality of the champagne and make it unsuitable for consumption.
4. Store in the fridge
The best way to store champagne is to keep it in the fridge. Make sure you do not place it in the fridge door as this area is exposed to outer temperature.
Champagne requires a constant and cool temperature, so keeping it at the back of the refrigerator is advisable. Enjoy a chill and cool sparkling wine with your loved ones.
5. Do not store in the freezer
Well, freezing champagne is not a good idea. So, I suggest you not store it in the freezer. Placing it in the freezer will freeze the fizz and not stay fizzy and bubbly.
6. Do not place it near the electronics
Try not to place a bottle of champagne near the electronics, as there are high chances of its breakage. So, place it at the back of the cupboard.
Tips To Extend The Shelf Life Of Champagne
All your doubts related to storage must be cleared now. Try your hands on some important tips to save the bubbles in your bubbly.
- Do not place it in the kitchen or near the stove, where the temperature will likely change.
- You must not store it in the refrigerator door as this area will likely be exposed to a warmer temperature.
- Place the bottle of champagne in the dry and cool areas.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- It is not good for use if it loses its sparkle or fizz.
Conclusion
Well, okay then! This is all about shelf life, storage, and signs of spoilage of champagne. Champagne has a beautiful fizz with sweet fruit aroma and flavors.
Follow the easy and effective storage methods, and you are good to go. So what are you waiting for? Grab your glasses and enjoy this sparkling wine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you Freeze champagne?
Well, it is not a good idea to store the champagne bottle in the freezer. Placing it in the freezer will freeze the fizz and not stay fizzy and bubbly.
Does Champagne Go Bad?
Yes, champagne does go bad with the passage of time. I know it is not good news for those with a bottle of champagne in their cupboard.
How long does champagne last?
An unopened bottle of champagne can stay in use for about 3 to 4 years if it is not a non-vintage one. But if it is a vintage wine, then it can last up to 5 to 10 years. The open bottle of champagne can last up to 3 to 5 days.
How To Store Champagne To Extend Its Shelf Life?
Place it in a dark and dry place, avoid storing it in the kitchen and near electronic appliances, and store it in the fridge are the ways to store champagne to extend its shelf life.
How To Tell If Champagne Is Bad?
A dark yellow appearance, no popping sound or fizz, and sour smell and taste are the signs of spoilage of champagne.
