Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/21/2006

Question
How long will "non-vintage" wine last sitting on a store shlef?
The store I buy from, has many bottles dating from 1997-2003, but I am leary about purchasing them since I don't know if they are still good.
Is there some type of chart that would have the shelf life information?

Answer
Hi Neal:

This isa good question, but the answer has a lot of variables.  Let's work through them one by one:

1.  Most non-vintage wine is made to drunk within a year or two of production.  I wouldn't recommend buying any non-vintage wine that is more than three years old, because of this factor. This is why most stores try to rotate their stock regularly.

2.  It is important that the wine be stored in a place that is cool, and with a constant temperature.  If the store gets warm in the summer, or is heated to 70 degrees F in the winter, then that is also a problem.  

3.  Wines sealed with corks should be stored on their sides, or the cork will dry out and leak air into the wine.  This isn't important for a few months, but over years it does become a problem.  And most synthetic (plastic) corks do not protect wine for more than about 18-24 months.  

4.  UV light can damage wine quite noticeably.  A good wine shop uses incandescent light, or finds a way to protect the bottles (by putting them in bins that shade the light) so that this doesn't happen.

In the end, I think you are wise to be wary of buying older wines in a liquor store that isn't aware of these problems.

Paul Wagner