Storing opened champagne: how to keep the bubbles longer
Have you opened a bottle of champagne but did not finish it? Naturally, you want to keep the bubbles and flavour as fresh as possible. Fortunately, an opened bottle of champagne can stay enjoyable for several days when stored correctly.
In this article, you will learn how to store opened champagne, how long it stays fresh, and how to recognise when champagne is no longer suitable to drink.
How long can you store opened champagne?
An opened bottle of champagne usually stays fresh for about 3 to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator. How long the quality remains depends on how well the bottle is sealed and how it is stored.
Over time, the bubbles will slowly fade and the flavour may become less fresh. That is why it is important to reseal the bottle properly and keep it chilled as soon as possible.
Would you like to learn more about champagne shelf life in general? Read our additional article about champagne shelf life.
How to store an opened bottle of champagne
With a few simple steps, you can help opened champagne stay fresh and sparkling for longer.
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Use a champagne stopper:
Seal the bottle with a special champagne stopper. This helps prevent carbon dioxide from escaping and keeps the bubbles longer. -
Store the bottle upright in the refrigerator:
Keeping the bottle upright reduces contact with air and helps maintain freshness. -
Avoid opening the bottle repeatedly:
Each time the bottle is opened, bubbles escape. Try to limit how often you reopen it.
Common mistakes when storing opened champagne
When storing opened champagne, certain mistakes can quickly reduce the quality of the drink.
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Storing without a stopper:
Without proper sealing, the bubbles may disappear within just a few hours. -
Storing the bottle horizontally:
An opened bottle should be stored upright. Storing it horizontally increases contact with air. -
Keeping the bottle too warm:
Champagne loses freshness faster when stored outside the refrigerator.
How to recognise champagne that is no longer fresh
There are several signs that indicate champagne has lost its quality.
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Few or no bubbles:
If the bubbles disappear quickly or are barely visible, the champagne has lost its sparkle. -
Unusual smell:
Fresh champagne smells light and fruity. A dull or musty smell may indicate that the quality has declined. -
Changed taste:
If the champagne tastes flat or sour, it is no longer at its best.
Would you like to open champagne the right way to preserve as many bubbles as possible? Read our guide on how to open champagne.
Enjoy opened champagne for longer
By sealing the bottle properly and storing it in the refrigerator, you can enjoy champagne for several days after opening. With the right method, the flavour and bubbles remain fresh for as long as possible.