I have had two bottles of wine in my fridge for a year (Asti & white zinfandel). Still good to drink?

Answer 1

Even at their prime, they are not fit to drink, if you have any taste.

Answer 2

Since it's only been a year, you may be OK, but it's borderline.

The Asti (being a sparkling wine) probably has a plastic cork, or possibly even a twist-off cap, so it's most likely OK. The plastic from either one makes a pretty good seal.

Look at the bottom of the bottle of the white zinfandel. If it has sediment, these are the "tannins" that have separated from the wine (and cannot be "mixed back in" by shaking up the bottle). The wine would either be a lot sweeter (like a dessert wine) or a lot more sour (like a white wine). Depending on what it should have tasted like in the first place...it will be the opposite now. If there is no sediment, AND it's been stored on it's side, it's probably OK.

Answer 3

It is a common misconception that wine can last forever.
DON'T BELIEVE THEM.
The only wines that get better with age are expensive fine wines with a good vintage... not the $10 bottle of white zinfandel you bought at the local grocery store. After 2 years I would still try it.. but I doubt it will be tasting that great.
A cheap(er) white wine, the kind most people drink, should be drank within 3-6 months, maybe a bit longer for red. But never longer than 2 years or the wine will become oxidized, among other things. And always remember to store wine on its SIDE, so that the cork is covered in liquid, and in a cooler temperature room where the temperature does not vary.

Answer 4

The best way to tell is to open and sniff and take a taste. If you want to make sure before you have guests, then open them a few hours before the party to test. If they're OK, then serve. If they are not good, discard and you still have time to run out to get something fresher.

Refrigerator storage is not ideal for wine of any type. Refrigerators are generally around 40 degrees F, which is much cooler than the recommended 55 - 60 degree storage for wine. Also, refrigerators are very low humidity, which isn't good for the cork. Wine should always be stored on it's side in humidity of 60 - 75%.

Best of luck.

Answer 5

They should still be fine if they are unopened. Some people think all wine improves with age and that is not true. Certain complex wines do, mostly certain reds. Don't keep whites arounds as a rule of thumb for more than a year or two, they don't last as long as reds do in general. Also, store your wine on its side so that the cork remains moist. Air can enter and spoil the wine if the cork dries out.

Answer 6

You could leave it there for 100 years and it would be good.
I read not long ago that this shipwreck was discovered in the Bahamas (SP) and the beer they collected along with the wine was still drinkable. They figure the year in the late 1700 hundreds. It was corked.
Also during World War two, about twenty years after the war they found this B-29 bomber in the Saudia Arabia dessert. The name of the plane was the "Lady be Good". When it was discovered they seen a rock formation shaped like arrows pointing their direction. They also discovered in the plane a "thermis bottle" filled with coffee. Yes, it was still drinkable...

Answer 7

Don't see why not as long as the corks are intact. As some corks lose their integrity (no longer liquid resistant) over time there is a possibility that the contents may become 'corked' this is caused by bacteria in the cork reacting with the contents of the bottle. This is easily detected when pouring the wine as it will smell of vinegar. Hope this helps.
Ian Cook AMBII (Associate Member of the British Institute of Innkeepers)

Answer 8

Honey, they were never good to begin with. Ugh! Grow up and try an adult wine.

Answer 9

Certainly drinkable...but if in doubt, send 'em round to my house!

Answer 10

If you've had them for a year and haven't already drank them then why bother now????