How long can you keep champagne unopened?

Question

Read the title.

Answer 1

I have answered similar questions to this recently, so please read the pasted answers below (references are provided to prove I have not plagiarised these).

1) http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArGBOm1JzFLVhe81eOPCmX4gBgx.?qid=20061231143623AApa2G9&show=7#profile-info-e277e4c7e64638d1ec9220ceeadb7305aa

"This depends entirely on the particular Champagne. Most non-vintage cuvées are recommended for consumption within 5 years of bottling. However, some vintage Champagnes (particularly those that have been late-disgorged) will continue to improve with age for many decades.
Where wines are concerned, the broad spectrum of varied products prohibits generalisation. If you have a specific bottle that you would like to keep, please email me with details of the bottle to [e-mail] and I shall be more than happy to let you know more about the wine you have."

2) http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsIOPOaJWlsqpskzfKKwhDYgBgx.?qid=20070102095649AAARyJM&show=7#profile-info-6becdc1897f74782c860ead28fba2763aa

"The bottle will not break due to weather changes, but wine is very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Your best bet to keep the wine in top condition is to remove it from the fridge and move it to the coldest room in your house (on ground floor or basement but not in the kitchen) or, as you suggested, the garage. While the ambient temperature in the garage is unlikely to remain constant, you can at least ensure that it does not vary greatly.

For insulation, wrap the bottle in bubblewrap, a blanket or a piece of old carpet, this will not warm the wine as the insulation will prevent warmth from reaching the bottle as fast and thus further slow any temperature variation. Furthermore, the covering will prevent sunlight or artificial light from affecting your Champagne.

Contrary to popular belief, sparkling wines should be stored upright, if the cork is allowed to get too moist, the pressure in the bottle can compress it and compromise the seal."

I hope the information above helps. If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Edward Mainwaring-Burton

Answer 2

You can keep it forever.

I think you mean - how long can you keep it before it gets unpleasant to drink? I'd say at least 10 years easily.

But you may be asking - how long can I keep it while it tastes great? That depends on the Chanmpagne, and also whether you like the taste of old Champagne. As Champagne ages it darkens in color, gets less sharp to taste and gains a toasty flavor. Many people like that taste and many people do not, they prefer it young.

If you visit the Champagne makers they all saythat their wine is ready for drinkingwhen it leaves their cellars. I don't agree myself, but that is the way the French like it.

All the above commenst refer to Champagne, not sparkjling wines made elsewhere by different methods.

Someone refers to something called 'Cooks champagne' -- that is NOT Champagne -- it is made in California from different grapes and is NOTmade by the Champagne method. There are some very good Champagne method sparklers made in California and the thing they all have in common is that they do not put the word "Champagne" on their labels since that morally belongs to wthe wine from Champagne in France and they are proud enough of their wines not to want to pretend to be something else.

Answer 3

Check to see if the bottling company listed on the bottle has a web site. Different companies have different information for their specific products. Example here is information I found for Cooks Champagne:

How should I store Cook's Champagne prior to opening?
Champagne is sensitive to light, air, heat, and vibration. We recommend that all sparkling wines be stored in a cool, dark area away from sun, fluorescent light, extreme temperature changes and constant vibration. The optimum storage temperature for storage is 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Similar to traditional wines, champagne bottles should be stored by being placed on their sides.

How long should I age my sparkling wine before drinking it?
Please remember that Cook's Champagnes are designed for consumption within 18 months of being bottled. They are not made for aging or being stored for long periods of time.

How should I store Cook's Champagne after opening it?
Once opened, all champagnes begin to lose carbonation. The bottle should be resealed with a special champagne cap. We do not recommend using the original cork from the bottle. To retain maximum flavor and quality, champagne should be consumed within one to three days of opening.

What is the recommended serving temperature for Cook's Champagne?
Champagne is best when served at 40 - 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best of Luck

By the way, we left one in the fridge for 1 year and opened it this year and it was fine...

Answer 4

Late to the party, but I agree with Pontac - Cook's is not champagne ... at best it's a cheap sparkling wine and considered the "white zin" of the sparkling wines - you don't let your friends drink it

Answer 5

normally every bottle of champagne has its expiry date printed on the front label.if u've opened one n unfinished it u r better keep it in the freezer 4 some time only.

best wishes n happy new year.

Answer 6

You can keep opened how much you want but it will be not so dizzy after 1 hour.You know there is CO2 inside and the molecule go into the air.So drink quickly! :))

Answer 7

unopened?......what on earth could go wrong with it?, it is stabilited ( all the yeast is gone ) it is under pressure so the cork cannot let air in.........just keep it cool forever....I cannot see what could go wrong with it....cool and dark...........i had a 1990 verve cliqot over christmas....awesome.....and it doesnt improver over time, it cant, nothing could cause that

Answer 8

Not for very long cos it will go flat,put a teaspoon in the top of the bottle will make it last a bit longer

Answer 9

For several years if you do not refrigerate it. The older, the better.

Answer 10

Keep it in a refridgerator and it should be fine for up to it's sell by date.