Last Updated on January 12, 2022 by Tom
Does prosecco go bad? Within a period, the producer guarantees a Prosecco that complies with the quality and taste standards of the product. Did they give you a bottle of Prosecco, and then you left it in the cellar for quite some time? If you are wondering how long a bottle of Prosecco lasts, you are in the right place!
What is Prosecco?
Prosecco wine is a famous Italian sparkling wine. Same as the Champagne and Cava, Prosecco is one of the most well-known wines globally. They often appear on the menus of high-class restaurants and hotels or become apéritif at parties.
Prosecco wine offers sweetness on different levels. You can taste the flavor of Brut, Extra Dry, Dry, or Demi-Sec from Prosecco. If Champagne, Brut is the sweetest level, in Prosecco, Brut is the least sweet level and Demi-Sec is the sweetest.
How Prosecco made?
The production process for Prosecco is similar to the method used for making champagne. It undergoes second fermentation in a tank, creating bubbles. This involves inoculating a still white wine with yeast and allowing it to ferment again after bottling. Prosecco is produced all throughout Italy but is mostly grown along the plains and hills near the city of Conegliano Veneto.
Does Prosecco Go Bad?
It is impossible to establish with certainty the expiry date of a wine. Some lose taste over time, while others gain tone and nuances. The label of the bottle of wine is unnecessary to bring the expiry date.
However, it is possible to make predictions based on the type of wine and establish the period within which it is advisable to taste it. If stored in ideal conditions, without variations in temperature and light, and without being subjected to sudden vibrations, the wine will deteriorate more slowly.
Types of Prosecco
There are different Prosecco. Many manufacturers do not note the Prosecco name on the label, so you better study about them:
Prosecco DOC
It is the most well-known type of Prosecco. This type is popular in the nine provinces in Italy, including Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions.
Prosecco Superiore DOCG
The grapes used to make this type are blended from “Valdobbiadene” and “Conegliano” grapes. The hills where people harvest these grapes can produce the most concentrated wines.
Colli Asolani DOCG
This type of Prosecco comes from the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area. Here, there is a small hillside region that produces excellent Prosecco. The manufacturer will label “Colli Asolani” on the bottle.
Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG
This type comes from communes of vineyards in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG
It is a small land (265 acres) outside of Valdobbiadene. It is one of the best terroirs for Prosecco in Italy.
How Long does Prosecco Last Unopened
There is no actual expiration date, but a maximum time within which the sparkling wine must be consumed. Within this period, the producer guarantees a sparkling wine that complies with the quality and taste standards of the product.
The storage time of the bottle of sparkling wine also varies depending on whether it is sweet or dry sparkling wine. Sweet sparkling wines can be kept for a maximum of one year from their bottling.
How Long does Prosecco Last Opened?
Prosecco has a shelf-life of about three days once it is opened, but can last up to five days if stored in the refrigerator. Prosecco tends to maintain its flavor longer than regular wine when it is left out on the counter after opening because of its lower alcohol content and carbonation.
It needs to be tightly sealed before being opened so that the carbon dioxide bubbles don’t escape from the bottle. Once poured, a sparkling wine should either be consumed entirely or recorked to prevent oxidation and preserve freshness.
Prosecco should not be stored for more than seven days in a cool place away from direct sunlight or in an enclosed space such as a cabinet between uses because this could affect its taste and quality. Prosecco should always be refrigerated after being opened, even if it is just for a few hours.
How to Store Prosecco
Storing the wine properly will guarantee you to enjoy a good glass of sparkling wine even after years of purchase. Let’s see how long a bottle of Prosecco lasts and how to preserve it. Just follow these few and precious tips:
Position
To store sparkling wine and any bottle of wine, it is best to place it horizontally. By lying on its side, the liquid can wet the cork. Thus, the cap remains moist and prevents air from penetrating.
For a few months, the sparkling wine bottles could also be stored in an upright position, as the pressure and carbon dioxide moisten the cork and prevent air infiltration. But the horizontal position is the most effective and safe one.
Temperature
The ideal one is between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Each manufacturer usually provides specific guidance. Please avoid hot or too cold places such as freezers or refrigerators at low temperatures that would cause the cork to dry out, favoring the oxidation of the liquid. The recommended serving temperature is 6-8 degrees centigrade.
Humidity
For sparkling wine bottles, the standard humidity percentage is between 50% and 70%. It is an important factor because it allows the cork to keep good elasticity and adherence to the glass. A low humidity would make it dry and shrink at the risk of letting air in. Check the humidity of the place where the bottles are located.
Light
It has harmful effects on wine. It is why you should put the bottles in a dark place and away from light sources. Ultraviolet rays deteriorate wine because they generate energetic reactions. It will cause the precipitation of salts and tartar. The sparkling wine is bottled in glass containers with dark colors that protect it from solar radiation.
Place of Conservation
The ideal would be a refrigerator, cooler, or air-conditioned cabinets designed specifically for storing wine. Avoid places where other foods such as cured meats and cheeses are stored, whose smells could alter those of the wine.
Method of Storage
You should classify sparkling wines produced with the classic method and those with the Charmat method. It is because their flavor varies depending on the storage method.
Classic method
It is necessary to check the disgorgement date. The classic method is the process that allows eliminating the residual yeast of the fermentation. From that moment, the sparkling wine must be drunk as soon as possible within six months or one year at the latest.
In this way, it does not lose its typical effervescence. Many producers recommend consuming the bottle within two years from the disgorgement date shown on the label on the back to preserve its organoleptic characteristics.
Charmat method
Charmat method requires a shorter storage time compared with the Classic one. It is advisable to consume them within 1-2 years from bottling.
We hope that this article has answered the question above and provides for you the best information about Prosecco wine, type of Prosecco, how to use and store it.
When to drink Prosecco
Prosecco is a versatile wine that can be served with a variety of desserts and meals, including fruit, light seafood dishes, parmesan cheese trays and prosciutto. It can also be enjoyed as an after-dinner drink or with coffee at any time of day. Prosecco is slightly sweeter than traditional champagne because it is made from different grape varieties.
What foods pair well with Prosecco?
Prosecco pairs well with fruit such as strawberries, plums and oranges; light seafood dishes such as grilled salmon and shrimp scampi; parmesan cheese trays; prosciutto; pasta in cream sauce or red sauce; white meats such as chicken cutlets or pork loin. It can also be enjoyed as an after-dinner drink, especially with chocolate desserts.
Final on Does Prosecco Go Bad
The answer to the question of whether Does Prosecco Go Bad is that it can, but not always. Prosecco contains a small amount of residual sugar and alcohol which means that if left un-refrigerated for an extended period, bacteria will grow quickly in its bottle. This may cause the wine to spoil quicker than others wines with higher levels of sugars or more alcohol content.
However, most people drink prosecco within six months after purchase so this isn’t too much of a problem. It’s best to store your bottles at room temperature (not hot) and keep them away from light sources like windows where they might be exposed to UV rays.
