How to tell if your wine has gone bad (2024)

It'll begin to brown

Wine is a lot like fruit: it browns when exposed to oxygen, according toWine Folly. Somered wines are naturally browner than others, so the key is to try and remember the wine'soriginalcolor.

It looks cloudy

If you notice that your wine is looking cloudy, it may be time to toss it. Cloudiness, which is also caused by extended exposure to oxygen,may mean that your vino is growing yeast or bacteria.

It tastes fizzy... and it's not sparkling wine

A carbonated taste indicates that there's been an unintentional second fermentation in the bottle, according to wine merchantsBBR. This could be due to poor wine making, but more commonly because it has been open for too long.

It smellsweird

With bad smell comes bad taste. Like most foods or drinks that have gone bad, a funky smellwill probably stop you from eating/drinking these items. Wines that have been open for too long willhave a sharp, sour smell, similar to nail polish remover or vinegar. According to Wine Folly, "these aromas are from chemical reactions from the wine being exposed to heat and oxygen, which causes bacteria to grow that produce acetic acid and acetaldehyde."

So when in doubt, throw it out.