Vintage Roots' Selection of Organic and Biodynamic Wines


There's nothing quite like a bottle of champagne to help you celebrate a special occasion, or to just to turn a normal occasion into a special one!

Of course, there are times when the bottle isn’t finished, and few things are more unappealing than a bottle of champagne that has gone "flat" – when all the bubbles have gone, leaving only a pale, somewhat bland wine.

It is possible to prevent this from happening, you just to follow these handy tips. In this article, we'll answer a few questions like:

  • How long does champagne last - both in the fridge and out on the table?
  • How can I tell is champagne is bad?
  • How can I keep my champagne from spoiling?

By the time you finish the article, you'll know everything you need to keep your champagne fresh and fizzy for as long as possible!

How Long Does Champagne Last?

There’s really two questions here:

How long does unopened champagne last?

Champagne can last a surprisingly long time when unopened. Non-vintage champagne, such as our Fleury Blanc de Noirs, will normally last three years or more.

how long does Non-vintage champagne last

AOC Champagne Fleury Blanc de Noirs

If you buy vintage champagne, it could last 5 years or more. Try the award-winning Fleury Extra Brut 2000 Vintage Champagne – aged to perfection and ready to drink now, or over the next five years.

How long does vintage champagne last

AOC Champagne Extra Brut Vintage 2000

However, bear in mind that the way the bottle is stored can affect your bottle's lifespan. If you store it in a dark, cool place with a bit of humidity (such as in the basement), you'd get the full range of years from the bottle. But if you store the champagne on the counter, under direct sunlight, exposed to heat, and susceptible to vibration, the champagne will not last as long. In the end, it all comes down to your storage situation, as well as the wine itself.

There’s no ‘best before’ date on wines or champagnes, and there isn’t a point at which they suddenly go ‘off’. It is a living product, and is always changing from the moment it is created.

With Champagne, it can be useful to think about how the flavours and textures change over time. In their youth they will be more fizzy, with fresh citrus character. With more time in bottle, the bubbles will become softer and the flavours may develop more biscuity, yeasty flavours. This is why vintage champagnes, which are aged for longer at the winery, usually have a richer flavour.

It’s purely a matter of preference as to which style is ‘better’.

How long does opened champagne last?

This is the tricky question, and the one that most people are really interested in. Most of us want to know how long that bottle of bubbly that we opened for our weekend brunch or party will last.

So, how long does champagne last in the fridge? On average, a bottle of champagne will last for anywhere from 3 to 5 days in the fridge before it spoils. The key is to get the cork, or stopper, back into the bottle as soon as possible. And no, a teaspoon does not work!

How long does champagne last when stored in the freezer? Not long! Freezing the wine will drain away the last of the bubbles. The only time you should place the champagne in the freezer is to chill it quickly, but it's not the recommended solution for either storage or serving.

does champagne go bad

How to Tell is Champagne is Bad

How can you know if your champagne has gone bad? Short of opening the bottle and drinking it, there's no real way to tell!

Champagne in general is very resilient, and even bottles that have been stored poorly for many years can still taste fantastic. If you are a regular champagne drinker, why not try buying multiple bottles at one time and trying one every 6-12 months to see how the wine evolves.

Champagne can make any celebration better, so it's a good idea to always keep a bottle or two on hand. If you store it right - either opened or unopened - you will find that it lasts a lot longer, and the bubble and fizz will be there when you pop the cork to enjoy it!​

Article by:

We are an award winning, independent wine merchant, sourcing great organic wines and other drinks.