It happens to most of us. You open a bottle for a recipe, or you only want one glass with dinner, and suddenly there's wine sitting on the counter with nowhere to go. Before it ends up down the sink, there are plenty of ways to use leftover wine, whether that's in the kitchen, in a cocktail, or just stored properly for tomorrow. Here's how to use leftover wine, whatever you've got left.
How Long Does Leftover Wine Last?
That depends on the wine. Lighter whites and sparkling wines tend to fade fastest once opened, while fuller reds usually hold on to their flavour a little longer. If you're not sure whether a bottle has actually turned, our guide on whether wine can go bad walks you through what to look, smell and taste for.
How to Store Leftover Wine
Storing it properly is the easiest way to buy yourself some time before you need to think about recipes. A few things help:
- Reseal it: straight after pouring, before it sits open too long.
- Keep it cool: the fridge works for red wine too, just let it come back to room temperature before serving.
- Remove the air: a vacuum stopper can draw some of it out before sealing.
- Downsize the bottle: pouring it into something smaller means less air sitting on top of the wine.
For more detail on what actually makes a difference, take a look at our guide to how to store wine at home.
Cooking with Leftover Wine
This is probably the easiest way to use it up. Wine that's lost a bit of its charm for drinking will often still work well in a dish. Here are a few ways you could use that leftover drop:
Freeze It
Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it in small portions. It won't set completely solid because of the alcohol, but once it's firm, you can drop a cube straight into a sauce, soup or stew without thawing first. Keep red and white separate, so you know what you're grabbing later.
Braise and Stew
Slow-cooked dishes like beef stew, coq au vin or a good ragu all rely on wine for depth of flavour. A bottle that's a day or two old is perfect here, since the long cooking time smooths over anything that's faded.
Deglaze the Pan
Those browned bits left in the pan after searing meat are full of flavour. A splash of wine loosens them up as you scrape with a wooden spoon, giving you the base for a quick sauce.
Use It in a Marinade
Wine's acidity helps tenderise meat and adds flavour. A white works well with chicken or fish, a red suits beef or lamb. Add oil, herbs and seasoning, then leave it in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
Leftover Wine Recipes and Cocktails
If the wine still tastes good, there's nothing wrong with drinking it as is. But if it's lost a bit of its shine, mixing it into something else is a good option, since other flavours can cover for whatever's dropped off.
- Sangria: a light red wine mixed with brandy, sugar and chopped fruit.
- Mulled wine: warmed with cinnamon, clove and other spices, good for using up a red that's a day or two old.
- Wine spritzer: leftover white topped with soda water and a squeeze of citrus.
- Frosé: frozen rosé blended with a little sugar and fruit.
What to Do with Old Unopened Wine
An unopened bottle is a different story from leftover wine, since it can last a long time if it's been stored well. How it's fared usually comes down to where it's been kept. A bottle stored somewhere cool and dark should still be fine to drink, even after a few years. One that's been sitting somewhere warm or in direct light may have faded a bit early. If in doubt, taste it before deciding what to do with old wine that isn't quite right for drinking. Cooking or a punch are good backup options.
FAQs About Leftover Wine
What to do with old opened wine
If it smells vinegary or flat rather than fruity, it's not great for drinking anymore, but it should still be fine for cooking or a marinade. This is usually down to oxidation, which isn't harmful, just not very pleasant.
Can you freeze leftover wine?
Yes. Freezing it in an ice cube tray is a handy way to keep some on hand for cooking. It's not really something you'd want to thaw and drink, though, since freezing changes the flavour.
Does leftover wine turn into vinegar on its own?
Not exactly, but it can head that way. Wine exposed to oxygen and a vinegar culture, sometimes called a mother, will slowly turn into vinegar over time. Without that culture present, it's more likely to just oxidise and taste flat.
How long does wine last once it's been opened?
It varies depending on the wine, but generally whites and rosés don't last quite as long as reds once opened. Keeping the bottle sealed and refrigerated will help it last as long as possible either way.
Browse Our Wine Collection
Looking for something new to open? Browse our wine collection for a range of styles, whether you're planning on finishing the bottle tonight or saving some for later.
