While some say wine improves in flavor and tastes better with age, does this apply to all wine, especially opened wine? Does wine actually expire? What is the shelf life of wine, beer, and spirits?

While spirits, beer, and wine all undergo fermentation during production—using yeast to convert sugar into alcohol—the ingredients and processes used vary, and their shelf life is affected by factors such as temperature, light, and oxidation.

Next, we’ll explain the shelf life and storage methods of spirits, beer, and wine.

Shelf Life of Spirits

Distilled spirits, such as gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila, have a long shelf life when unopened.

These spirits are typically made from grains or certain plants and are produced through a process of fermentation, distillation, maturation, filtration, clarification, and bottling. Once bottled, spirits no longer mature, allowing them to be stored for years.

However, it’s recommended to consume spirits within 6-8 months of opening. This is because the flavor and aroma of the spirit are at their most delicious during this period. However, if the spirit is not consumed for more than a year, its flavor may change and may even become unsafe. Therefore, it is not recommended.

How to store spirits?

When storing spirits, they should be kept in a dark, cool place, and the bottle should be stored upright to prevent the cork from soaking in the spirit for an extended period, which could affect the aroma and flavor of the spirit. Flavored spirits, such as those with fruit, spice, or vanilla flavors, or milk wines (which should be refrigerated), are recommended to be consumed within six months after opening.

Beer Shelf Life

Beer, which is brewed rather than distilled, is typically made from barley, water, and yeast. The fermentation process naturally produces carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles within the beer.

Hops are often added to beer, imparting a slightly bitter, floral, or citrus flavor and helping to extend its shelf life.

How to store beer?

For information on how long unopened beer can last, refer to the expiration date printed on the outside of the bottle. Beer should be stored upright in a dark, cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. However, experts recommend drinking it within a few hours after opening the bottle for optimal flavor.

Wine Shelf Life

Wine, a type of brewed alcohol, undergoes fermentation like spirits and beer, but its primary ingredient is grapes, not grains. Wine is typically aged in oak barrels for months to years. The older the wine, and the better the grapes, the more delicious it is considered.

How to store wine?

Wine can be stored for years if it’s protected from sunlight and heat, which can affect its quality. Specialized wine cabinets are also available. For organic wine—that is, wine produced without the addition of legal preservatives (such as sulfites)—experts recommend opening and consuming it within 3-6 months.

Once opened, wine begins to mature as it comes into contact with air, so it’s recommended to consume it within 3-7 days to enjoy its best flavor. If you can’t finish it immediately, seal the bottle securely with a cork or other suitable tool and refrigerate it. As for sparkling wine, because it contains carbon dioxide bubbles, it’s recommended to consume it within a few hours after opening, just like beer.