Does Wine Get Skunked?

Temperature extremes aren't good for wine. I suspect questions about wine going in and out of the fridge or cellar come from some myths about how to handle beer. I was told to never let refrigerated beer get warm and then cool it down again, otherwise it would get skunky. But that itself is a myth.

Does wine go skunky?

A common reason that wine goes bad is that, after it was opened, no one drank it fast enough. ... White wines darken and turn brownish; reds get lighter and browner. Soon, a wine that used to smell like apples or cherries may smell like vinegar or cider.

Is it bad to drink skunked wine?

Although a person can drink a small amount of spoiled wine without fearing the consequences, they should avoid drinking large amounts of it. Typically, wine spoilage occurs due to oxidation, meaning that the wine may turn to vinegar. Although it may taste unpleasant, it is unlikely to cause harm.