Why Does Unopened Wine Go Bad?

Watch the Humidity
Corked wine needs to be kept relatively humid so that the cork doesn't dry out. If this happens, it will shrink and allow air and bacteria into the bottle, which will, in turn, lead to a very bad flavor as the wine turns to acetic acid and develops a vinegary taste.

Can unopened wine go bad?

Though unopened wine has a longer shelf life than opened wine, it can go bad. Unopened wine can be consumed past its printed expiration date if it smells and tastes OK. ... Cooking wine: 3–5 years past the printed expiration date. Fine wine: 10–20 years, stored properly in a wine cellar.

Can you get sick from drinking old wine?

Can old wine make you sick? No, not really. There's nothing too horrific lurking in poorly aged wine that would have you running to the emergency room. However, the liquid that could come out of that bottle may make you feel sick from the color and smell alone.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.