An opened bottle of white wine generally stays good for about 3 to 5 days if it is properly resealed and stored in the refrigerator. Full-bodied whites like oaked Chardonnay and Viognier tend to last around 3 to 5 days, while lighter whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling may start to lose freshness after about 2 days but can still be drinkable up to 4 or 5 days
. To maximize freshness after opening:
- Reseal the bottle tightly with the original cork, a screw cap, or a vacuum-sealed stopper.
- Store the wine in the fridge immediately.
- Consider transferring leftover wine to a smaller container to reduce oxygen exposure or use a vacuum pump to remove air from the bottle
White wine begins to oxidize once opened, leading to changes in flavor and aroma, eventually making it less pleasant to drink. The cold temperature of the fridge slows this process, but even then, the wine’s taste will degrade over time
. In summary:
- Light white wines: best within 2 days, up to 4–5 days refrigerated.
- Full-bodied white wines: 3 to 5 days refrigerated.
- Always reseal tightly and refrigerate to prolong drinkability.
If the wine smells vinegary or tastes off, it has likely gone bad and should be discarded
