Wine protection: does wine spoil?

Does wine spoil? 

The short answer is yes. If you’ve ever opened a bottle, taken a sip and thought, 'That doesn’t taste right?” you have likely experienced the effects of spoiled wine. 

Now think about how tasting it made you feel. 

Were you annoyed that you paid for something that you can’t consume?

Scared that you’ve consumed something that doesn’t taste right?

What about the brand? 

How did you feel about purchasing not only that product again but other products that the brand has to offer? 

Cautious probably, or put off completely. Read on to learn what can affect wine’s the look, smell and taste.

Why does wine spoil? 

As a consumer, we all want, no, we expect, that the products that we consume are safe for us to swallow and that the taste is of the same quality each time it passes our lips. 

Have you ever considered why there may be a difference in the taste?

When the products we consume are produced in a different country, the transportation of them needs careful planning. 

We at Hillebrand Gori place a huge amount of importance and consideration upon the conditions under which they will be shipped. 

These include the temperatures they’ll be subjected to at loading, in transit and delivery. 

So, at what temperature does wine spoil? 

Wines can spoil if the temperature goes above 20°C or 68°F. That’s why it’s important to consider that some products move across continents, departing in one season and arriving in another. 

These extreme shifts in temperature and humidity can cause irreparable damage to consumables if not managed properly. Which is why, if not transported correctly, the beverage you drink may not taste as it should.

How long does wine take to spoil? 

Freshly opened bottles of wine should remain drinkable for up to five days, depending on the type of wine. 

Unopened wine bottles can last for several years, depending on the variety. For example, the recommended drinking window for red wines is two to three years, while you can store fine wine for up to 10 years or longer.

How do you know when wine has gone bad?

Now that we've answered the question, "Why does wine spoil?" and how long it takes, here are three ways to identify spoiled wine: 

Color

Pay attention to the color of the wine. 

Wine may turn brown over time because of exposure to oxygen — much like fruits. For example,  white wines may start to look yellow or turn into a brown straw-like color and reds may change to a rusty brown tint.

But some wines change color as they age, which doesn't mean they're spoiled. However, if the color looks odd or isn't consistent with the type of wine, it may have gone bad.

Smell

Smell is one of the best indicators of spoiled wine. Here are some common scents to watch out for:

• Burnt rubber
• Cabbage
• Garbage
• Garlic
• Sauerkraut 
• Vinegar

Spoiled wine can also smell sweet when oxidation occurs, so also watch out for these scents: 

• Apples or sweet applesauce
• Burnt marshmallows or caramel
• Nuts

Taste

Taste is the ultimate test to determine if wine has gone bad. If it tastes a bit sour or even sweet, it may have spoiled. 

Here are some flavors to be cautious of: 

• Caramel
• Horseradish
• Vinegar

While wine can improve with age, this isn't always the case. It’s possible for open and unopened bottles to spoil. 

But you can consume wine from an unopened bottle beyond the recommended drinking window if it still smells and tastes good.

How Hillebrand Gori can help protect your wine

Hillebrand Gori specialises in the transportation of products that require special care, such as consumables. We are freight forwarders, but we are also consumers, and so just like you, we want every product we eat or drink to be uncompromised in its quality.

Our team work with some of the biggest brand owners in the world, enabling them to present each product in optimum condition at every sale. We work tirelessly to understand the intricacies and requirements of each product we ship and our understanding of these products drives the innovation behind our food-grade flexitanks and protective thermal liners.

If you ship products that require special care in transit, contact us today to learn more about our insulation liners.