Does Unopened Red/White Wine Go Off

[florida sun]

Sounds crazy, but I have an old fasioned cocktail cabinet in the back room, that we rarley use, that lifts upwards if you know what I mean, but has had Vickis keyboard on top of it for years. Due to the fact she hasnt played it for months and months I thought I would put it away upstairs. Then lifted the lid of the cabinet to find about 9 bottles of Red and White wine However the youngest of these bottles is from 2001, the oldest being about 1996. Are they drinkable??? Dont want to make myself ill, but there is a lovely bottle of Rioja calling my name

Any wine experts in the know?? 6 bottles were upright and 3 laying down

 

[natalielongstaff]

Im afraid they never stay in my house long enough Sue

 

[mandymouse]

I wouldn't know Sue, I don't believe in leaving any wine in the bottle

I doubt I'd drink anything left for a while, even if it was left in the fridge

 

[florida sun]

They are all still corked and sealed so to speak, I know people order wine from different years in resturants, but Im not sure if thats because they have been stored well, however this a fairly cool room and they have been in the dark cabinet.

I thought I won the lottery when I saw them all

 

[mandymouse]

I thought I won the lottery when I saw them all

It's a shame we don't live closer to you Sue, as me and Nat would be round like a shot for a drinky-poo or 2 or 3 or 4

 

[florida sun]

It's a shame we don't live closer to you Sue, as me and Nat would be round like a shot for a drinky-poo or 2 or 3 or 4

No probs hon, you and Nat could taste it first, if your still upright after the first glass then I'll join you.

Have just done a bit of research on the net, and it appears they may be ok, esp the ones laying down. So I might give the Riojca a shot later with dinner. If you dont see me around tomorrow you know it was'nt one of my better ideas

 

[KayleeUK]

Hey am I invited to your party

Hope it is OK Sue

 

[tennisfan]

If they are still sealed I can't see it being a problem. Take a sip from one if it tastes ok then your fine

 

[florida sun]

Hey am I invited to your party

Hope it is OK Sue

Of course hon, you can test the White ones

 

[Goofyish]

No expert but I think as long as air has not got to the wine they should be ok. I think the corks can dry out and allow air in sometimes - I guess that's why wine bottles ae stored lying down.

Some wines age better than others though and improve with age (like me ).

You won't know until you drink them

 

[CustardTart]

It can do but yours should be OK, Sue. You'll probably know when you take the cork out if it's gone off as the cork might look a little mouldy and smell unpleasant. If unsure, pour a little wine into a glass and hold it to the light - whatever the colour, it should look clear and uncloudy. Bottom line, if it smells bad don't drink it...

Cheers!!!

 

[florida sun]

Well cheers Guys and Gals

Have just opened a 2001 Riojca, thought I would look at the cork as Karen suggested, all looked ok,and smelt ok, so poured a little into a glass and held it up to the light, well to be honest shone a torch through it as well clear as clear can be and tastes very nice.

So in the words of the famous Jilly Goulden, im off to cook dinner and have a glass of wine with 'Oak-y finishes' and 'Wooshes of hollyhock' God willing I will be back

Cheers!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Result, Sue!!! Happy boozing!!!

PS: I'm sipping a chilled glass of Chablis...

 

[natalielongstaff]

oooh count me in if there's a party

 

[mikki.young]

The red wines should all be fine (in fact like the Rioja probably better for the wait). White wines don't last as well but would still be worth trying as suggested. Enjoy!

 

[Tammy Stringer]

What a result Sue. Enjoy them - my only tip - don't drink them all in one sitting!!!

Tam

 

[florida sun]

Well I made it back, the dinner was lovely, the wine even better, I always said 2001 was a good year

 

[Kevin Stringer]

I believe there is a saying - 'Anything that doesn't kill us makes us stronger'.

As your not dead, you must be stronger! (And merrier!)

Kev

 

[florida sun]

I believe there is a saying - 'Anything that doesn't kill us makes us stronger'.

As your not dead, you must be stronger! (And merrier!)

Kev

Very merry thank you Kev Great find me thinks

 

[crispywelsh]

result, me and Jules will come and help you out ...