Do you want to lose weight but also love to drink wine? We know the perfect wine for you—Prosecco! Yes, you read that right! Prosecco is the best wine to drink on a diet because it has fewer carbs and calories than most wines and fruit juices!
Now let us take a wild guess: you might probably be thinking of that bottle you hid in your pantry months ago when you decided to go on a diet. You’re afraid that you might have wasted a perfect bottle of bubbly as it might have already gone bad. But wait, does Prosecco go bad?
Yes and no. When stored for long periods, Prosecco wine won’t get spoiled, but it will lose its fizz, flavor, and texture over time.
Confusing, right? What does this mean? Continue reading this article to find out!
And as a bonus, we’ll throw in lots of good information about:
Can’t wait to discover the answers to these questions? If so, let’s get busy!
What’s Prosecco?
Prosecco is a sparkling wine that originated from Northeastern Italy. It’s produced from a mixture of 85% Glera Grape and a 15% combination of different grapes (Glera Lunga, Chardonnay, Perera, Vediso, Bianchetta Pinot Noir. (*)
It’s fermented using the Charmat or tank method (*), which involves fermenting the grapes a second time to release Carbon Dioxide and carbonize the wine.
- Fun Fact: Many people consider Prosecco wine to be a cheaper alternative to Champagne, but the truth is these sparkling wines are made from two different grape varieties and fermentation methods.
Additionally, the two sparkling wines taste a lot different. Champagne often gives off a more complex flavor with brioche or almond notes, while Prosecco delivers simple and clean flavors with sharp fruity notes.
Fun Fact: National Prosecco Day is celebrated every 13th of August.
What are the Different Styles of Prosecco?
Carbonation levels define the styles of Proseccos, and these are as follows:
- Spumante (Fully Sparkling): long-lasting per lage (over 3 bars of atmospheric pressure)
- Frizzante (Semi-sparkling Prosecco): Lighter version with less persistent bubbles (1 to 2.5 bars of atmospheric pressure)
- Tranquilo (Still Prosecco): without any bubbles/ non-sparkling
Among the three, Spumante or Sparkling Prosecco is the most common Prosecco style, and it is divided into four categories based on the wine’s sugar level.
Pro Tip: Prosecco’s sweetness is determined by its sugar content or the Residual Sugar (RS) added to the wine for the second fermentation.
With that said, the different Sparkling Prosecco subcategories and their corresponding sugar content are as follows:
- Demi-Sec: 32 to 50 g/ L
- Dry: 17 to 32 g/L
- Extra Dry: 12 to 17 g/L
- Brut: 0 to 12 g/L
- Extra Brut: 0 to 6 g/L
Does Prosecco Go Bad?
As we’ve mentioned, the answer is yes and no.
No, Prosecco doesn’t go bad in the sense that it will get spoiled (unless it was stored improperly) since it contains alcohol that can prevent bacterial growth.
But due to its higher sugar to content ratio, its aging potential is relatively low. So yes, it will go bad in the sense that its texture, taste, and fizz will deteriorate as time goes by.
So if you don’t want to end up with a bland, bitter, and flat bubbly, you should consume it within the expected shelf life.
How Long Does Prosecco Last?
With that said, how long does Prosecco last? The shelf life of Prosecco will vary depending on its condition (if it’s opened or unopened) and how it’s stored (refrigerated or at room temperature).
To help you figure out when you can enjoy Prosecco at its peak quality, here are the shelf life guidelines that you need to know about:
Unopened Prosecco
As long as the unopened bottle of Prosecco is stored in a cool, dark, and dry place, experts recommend consuming it within the expected shelf life, which is 2 to 3 years after the bottling date.
Warning: Storing an unopened Prosecco in the refrigerator is not a good idea.
There are many reasons behind this.
For one, the vibration of the refrigerator can affect the wine’s carbonation. Also, the wine gets exposed to light every time you open the fridge, promoting oxidation.
Last but not least, the cold temperature inside the refrigerator may cause the cork to shrink a bit, leaving a space for the air to enter inside the bottle. The more air goes into the bottle, the faster its quality will deteriorate.
Because of these issues, it’s recommended that you drink Prosecco within a month if you decide to store an unopened bottle of Prosecco in the fridge.
Opened Prosecco
On the other hand, the contents of an unopened bottle of Prosecco can lose fizz and taste faster than an unopened bottle. Once you’ve opened the bottle, the countdown already begins.
If it’s already opened, refrigerate Prosecco immediately. When stored inside the refrigerator, an opened bottle of Prosecco can last for only 3 to 4 days.
How to Store Prosecco?
As we’ve mentioned, make sure to store your unopened bottle of Prosecco in a dark, dry, and cold environments like a wine cellar, kitchen pantry, or cabinet. In contrast, the opened bottle must be refrigerated as soon as possible.
In addition to that, here are other tips you can use when storing Prosecco.
1. Keep an opened bottle as cold as possible.
When the sparkling wine is cold, the amount of gas released will be reduced, allowing you to enjoy the wine’s fizz for longer.
Because of this, it’s recommended that you place it inside the wine fridge.
If you don’t have space inside your fridge, another great option is to submerge the bottle in a bucket filled with ice. But please keep in mind that sparkling wine stored this way can only last overnight.
2. Store your bottles upright.
Most wines are stored on their side, but Prosecco is one of the great exceptions.
When you store it on the side, the wine will come in contact with the cork, which will cause it to age faster. To avoid this, always keep your bottles upright.
3. Use a wine stopper.
Warning: When you simply re-cork the bottle, there’s a high chance of gas buildup inside the bottle, which may cause the cork to fly off, so it’s a must that you find an excellent cork alternative.
After opening the Prosecco, you should finish it off right away. But if you can’t consume all the contents in one sitting, you must find a way to keep the contents sealed as tight as possible to keep them bubbly.
Unfortunately, putting back the cork won’t do the trick. To keep a tight seal on the bottle, it’s recommended that you use a wine stopper that’s designed specifically for sparkling wines.
4. Try a hermetic cork.
Another option you have is to use a hermetic cork, also known as an airtight cork, since it offers a tight seal.
5. Give rubber band and plastic wrap a try.
If you don’t have either of the two, a rubber band and plastic wrap are the next best option.
All you need to do is cover the plastic wrap over the hole of the bottle. Afterward, secure it with a rubber band.
While it may not effectively prevent carbonation, it would at least prevent various food particles from contaminating the sparkling wine. If you go down this route, make sure to finish the wine the next day.
Warning: Some articles will tell you that putting a metal spoon (with the handle down) into the neck of the wine bottle can help keep the wine fizzy. This is a myth, and you will undoubtedly end up with a flat and stale wine if you do this.
How To Tell If Prosecco Has Gone Bad?
If properly stored, you can expect Prosecco to last within the mentioned shelf lives. But if you keep them the wrong way, it might go bad faster.
Some of the signs that will tell you that Prosecco has gone bad are discoloration (a few shades darker), diminished aroma or musty smell, and bitter and metallic taste.
If the sparkling wine exhibits any of these symptoms, we recommend that you throw it out right away.
Common Related Questions About Prosecco
Drinking old Prosecco won’t make you sick as long as it doesn’t have any mentioned signs.
However, an old Prosecco may no longer have fizz, aroma, and flavor, so you may no longer enjoy drinking it.
Prosecco is one of the most affordable sparkling wines you’ll come across. Of course, its low price has something to do with how it’s produced.
The second fermentation occurs in a tank and not in the bottle in this method. Since it makes the process a lot faster and less labor-intensive, the production cost of Prosecco is a lot lower than other wines, and that’s why they are also sold much cheaper.
Prosecco should be served cold. That’s the only way you can truly enjoy its rich flavors.
Since it’s not suitable for long-term fridge storage, the best you can do is place the sparkling wine in the refrigerator 3 hours before you serve it. You can also choose to put it in a bucket of ice cubes a few hours before your party.
Interesting Facts
What can I do with leftover Prosecco?
In addition to drinking Prosecco, here are some ideas on how you can make the most out of this sparkling wine bubbly:
Turn it into ice cubes.
Frozen Prosecco ice cubes can last long. The good news is these are quite versatile too. You can add these to your soda water for an elegant touch. Another great idea is to use Prosecco ice cubes to add flavor to your soups.
Make a pancake syrup out of it.
Instead of mixing water and sugar to create a simple syrup, combine Prosecco and sugar. Add equal parts of the leftover Prosecco and sugar in a pan and place it over medium heat. Stir until to dissolve the sugar and until it turns syrupy completely.
Whip up a white wine sauce.
Add a touch of exotic flavor to your white wine sauce by adding leftover Prosecco to it.
Enhance your salad dressing.
The sparkling wine can help boost your salad dressing flavors too. All that you need to do is add a tablespoonful or two of the leftover Prosecco to your vinaigrette and mix well.
Make it a part of your skincare routine.
Did you know that wines contain antioxidants that can help fight off skin aging? (*)
Well, harness your wine’s antioxidant powers by mixing your leftover Prosecco with honey, yogurt, and honey to form a face mask mixture.
Apply this on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
What dishes are best paired with Prosecco?
With its light, sweet, and fruity flavor, Prosecco pairs well with the following food items:
- Meat and seafood: Salmon, chicken, or turkey
- Vegetables: Roasted tomatoes, artichokes, avocados, and mushrooms
- Cheeses: Parmesan, ricotta, goat cheese, and mozzarella
- Nuts: Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and macadamia
- Dishes: Asian (sushi and Thai Noodles) and Italian (Prosciutto)
In Summary
Does Prosecco Go Off? It won’t go bad to the point of spoilage, but it can lose its aroma, flavor, and fizz if it’s not consumed within 3-4 days (opened) to 3 years (unopened).
You can expect to enjoy your Prosecco at its finest quality within the said shelf life if you store it properly.
So make sure you store it at the right place (refrigerator for opened Prosecco bottles and cool and dark place for unopened Prosecco bottles) and keep it upright and tightly sealed.
Everything you need to keep Prosecco fresh is already in this article. You just need to get it done. It’s that simple!
