How long does wine last after opening?

Most opened wine stays good for about 3 to 5 days with the cork back in and the bottle in the fridge, sparkling lasts 1 to 3 days with a stopper, and boxed wine keeps for about 4 to 6 weeks.

Once air gets into a bottle, the wine slowly starts going flat and stale. The fridge slows that down a lot, for red as well as white. Here is how long each kind lasts and how to squeeze out an extra day or two.

Sparkling: About 1–3 days with a sparkling stopper
Light white and rosé: About 3–5 days, recorked, in the fridge
Red: About 3–5 days, recorked, in the fridge
Boxed wine: About 4–6 weeks after opening
Port and other fortified wine: Several weeks, longer in the fridge

Why opened wine fades

Oxygen is the culprit. A little air helps a wine open up in the glass, but days of it turn fruit flat and eventually vinegary. Bubbles have the shortest life because the fizz escapes as soon as the seal is broken.

Fuller wines like oaky Chardonnay or a big Zinfandel tend to hold up a day longer than delicate ones. Fortified wines like port last weeks because the extra alcohol protects them.

Put the red in the fridge too

Cold slows everything down, so recork the red and refrigerate it. Take it out 20 to 30 minutes before you pour so it isn't icy.

Day two is often fine and sometimes even better for a sturdy red. By day four or five, taste before you pour a full glass for a guest.

If you only drink a glass at a time

Boxed wine is the honest answer. The bag inside collapses as you pour, so air barely touches the wine and it stays fresh for weeks. Plenty of good ones exist now.

Wine past its prime for drinking can still go into a pan sauce, a braise or sangria for a few more days. If it smells like vinegar, let it go.

Boxes that last for weeks

Bota Box Pinot Grigio (3L)
about $20
Pinot Grigio
Price is for the 3-liter box, which holds four bottles. Crisp and easy, and it keeps for weeks in the fridge door.
Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon (3L)
about $22
Cabernet Sauvignon
Price is for the 3-liter box. A smooth, middle-of-the-road red for the person who wants one glass on a Tuesday without wasting a bottle.

Keep reading

Last checked 2026-10-18.