Shelf Life of

How Long Does Champagne Last? Does Champagne Go Bad?

how long does champagne last?

Does champagne go bad? Eventually… The shelf life of champagne depends on a variety of factors, such as the label and how the champagne was stored. Champagne actually starts with wine that is put through a second fermentation process where a small amount of sugar and yeast are added to the bottle in order that carbon dioxide production begins. According to the American Scientist journal, this process produces approximately 20 million bubbles that will be appear in each single poured glass.

So, before you toast that special occasion you may wonder if your champagne has gone bad? When properly stored, the shelf life of champagne past its purchase date is approximately …

(Unopened) Cellar/Fridge
Past Purchase
Champagne lasts for 3-4 Years
Sparkling Wine lasts for 3-4 Years
Vintage Champagne lasts for 20+ Years

Of course, champagne lasts for a shorter period of time if it is not stored properly. The majority of champagne is non-vintage and intended for consumption after purchase as the quality will decline over time, whereas more expensive vintage champagne is intended to last many more years without degradation. You should also note that the year printed on the bottle is the year that the grapes were harvested and not the year that it was bottled.

How to tell if champagne is bad, rotten or spoiled?

With champagne, since the un-corking of the bottle adds to the celebration, it is nice to know before you open the bottle if it will be top quality for the occasion. The best way to tell if champagne has gone bad before opening it is trying to remember when you purchased it (sorry, bad answer).
But once opened it’s easier to tell, champagne should be good if you hear the fizzling noise upon opening the bottle and see bubbles forming in the bottle as begin to loosen the cork. Good champagne will produce tiny bubbles that just keep on bubbling.

So, does champagne go bad? Yes, all types will eventually go bad or at least taste flat. If champagne has gone bad, or is beyond the years listed in the table, it will probably be void of bubbles and have a flat taste which then usually turns to a sour taste.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled food and drink, so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy things prior to their eat by dates.

How to store champagne to extend the shelf life?

Proper storage of champagne is the key to extending the expiration date. Champagne is best kept standing upright (to avoid any oxygen leaking through the cork) in the refrigerator, especially if it was purchased refrigerated. Keeping it at a constant temperature is important in order to maintain quality. Wine cellars are also perfect storage for champagne, but be sure to chill the champagne in the refrigerator prior to opening for at least 30-45 minutes in order to achieve the best results. As a warm, shaken bottle of champagne will gush and loose product.
If you choose not to refrigerate champagne, store it upright in a cool dark place that is at a constant temperature and chill just before opening.

When you open the bottle, do it very slowly. Turn the cork just a sixteenth of an inch with each turn for best results, unless you prefer a shower instead of a drink.

Some benefits of proper champagne storage include saving money and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Any interesting facts about champagne?

  • The term is used exclusively for product from the Champagne region of France. All others should be called sparkling wines.
  • To give your glass some added fizz, drop a raisin into the bottom of your flute. The carbon dioxide will stick to the surface of the raisin and then release as tiny bubbles from the raisin.
  • How long is champagne good for when prepared in a dish?

    How long does champagne last? That depends. How long do strawberries last? In general, it lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe. To find out how long those other ingredients are good for, please visit the Dairy, Drinks, Fruits, Grains, Proteins, Vegetables and Other sections of Eat By Date or search below!

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    *An important note about expiration dates …

    Although the champagne shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary because conditions are so variable and our advice should only be taken as an opinion. Please drink responsibly!