Does Unopened Champagne Go Bad?

Question

I have a bottle of unopened champagne that has been in my cabinet for over a year. Does it go bad? Thank you!

Answer 1

Champagne does not have a very long shelf life at all, Drink it sooner then later. When you open it you will be able to tell if it's still good by smell....

Answer 2

Good French Champagne Houses like Bollinger, Mumms, Piper, Roederer, Krug, Pol Roger, etc. on a vintage year will age indefinitely if kept on their side to keep the cork moist. If left upright for a month or so the cork can loose its mushroom qualities and the bubbles leave slowly and can let in air which can bring yeasts to form vinegar. I don't have to drink very good french champagne until it lays down for 10 years or more as the flavor develops so much richer, looses the sharpness and older-20 years or so develop a wonderful hint of vanilla, which goes so very well with the nuttiness of Ossetra Caviar whenever I'm lucky enough to get some. my favorite years are '96' - 90 - 85 - '79' - 75 - '73' - 66 - '64' Non vintage French can be drunk younger and will age too, especially the extra dry which is sweeter than the brut. If left on it's side in a room that does not necessarily have to be cool, but not varying in temperature then it's still good, probably great. If you left it in the kitchen rack above the refrigerator then it's probably not good. Take it YES! I like the response from the person who said take it anyway if it's bad it will make great vinegar with which to cook!

Answer 3

It could. Was it on its side or upright? Upright it might have gone bad since the cork wasn't moist. Otherwise, a year is practically nothing. I have some Champagne from 10 years ago and when I finally crack it open it's still as good or better than it ever was. But the rule of thumb is that it's made for drinking, so no more than 2 years of storage.

Answer 4

Pretty much all the champagne houses I have visited suggest 1-2 years for standard NV as long as you are sort of OK with its treatment. If you look after them well you could get a LITTLE more life out of them. Vintage and Prestige Cuvees (Dom P, Grande Dame, Granda Annee etc) are a different matter, but as to how long you can have them for depends on your storage, the House and/or vintage.

Answer 5

Champagne can keep well for a decade, no problem.

And indeed it improves if you keep it a little while after purchase, but you've had it a year which is long enough. Ifyou don't intend to drink it anytime soon, keep it in a cool dark place.

Answer 6

I have had a bottle turn bad, so yes

Answer 7

well, I suppose it could go flat and thats always bad.

Answer 8

cold duck!!!!!

thanks for the two.