Feature Image by Scott Warman
Once you uncork your bottle of wine, you have up to two weeks (depending on the type of wine you’re drinking) before it goes sour. Can’t remember when you opened your bottle? Here’s how you can tell your wine has gone bad.
Smell
When a bottle of wine has been open for too long, it starts to grow bacteria from exposure to heat and oxygen. The result? A sour smell, similar to paint thinner, nail polish remover, or vinegar.
Taste
Oxidization can alter the original taste of the wine. If your wine has gone bad, it’ll either taste sour like vinegar or extremely sweet like caramelized applesauce.
Color
You can usually tell a wine has gone bad simply by looking at the color and condition of it. Steer clear of wine that’s cloudy or brown — as browning is a result of oxygen exposure (like an apple!).
Texture
Do you see tiny bubbles in your wine? That’s because the air caused a second fermentation in the bottle, resulting in an oddly sour and fizzy texture.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
