Exactly How Long Do I Have to Finish My Open Bottle of Champagne?

Like all styles of wine, Champagne begins to break down once the cork is popped, though in the case of bubbly, effervescence levels also begin to deteriorate, too.  Contrary to popular belief, your bottle of sparkling will likely last longer than you may think. We’ve enlisted the help of four industry experts to learn just how long a bottle of Champagne will last once popped, as well as the factors that play into said shelf life. 

Across the board, most industry professionals agree that once opened, a bottle of Champagne will last anywhere from two to five days, so long as it’s stored correctly. “An open bottle of Champagne can last for three to five days if stored properly in the refrigerator,” says Akio Matsumoto, sommelier and general manager of Restaurant Yuu. However, Matsumoto notes that the flavors and effervescence may diminish over time. John Gergeos, general manager and sommelier at Caviar Russe, shares that without sealing or storage, a bottle of Champagne will generally last through the course of an evening, though once opened, the carbon dioxide — also known as bubbles — will begin to dissipate. 

Marek Trocha, beverage director and bartender at Artesano, a Peruvian restaurant in New York City, recommends enjoying Champagne on the same day you first open it. “As soon as you open a Champagne bottle, the clock is ticking to enjoy it at its peak effervescence and flavor profile,” he says. To preserve the wine for longer, Trocha recommends using a quality Champagne stopper and placing the bottle inside of a very cold refrigerator. 

Alexander LaPratt, master sommelier and director of operations for Aska Group, states that there are many factors that go into how long a bottle of Champagne will last, including the original pressure inside the bottle.  He notes that most Champagne clocks in between four and six atmospheres of pressure, and that bottles starting out with lower overall levels of pressure will dissipate more quickly. 

Additionally, LaPratt notes that age, as well as disgorgement date, can also play into how Champagne’s bubbles sit on the palate — as well as how long they will hold up after opening. “It is not only possible, but common occurrence, that [bottles] of non-vintage Champagne from the same producer have different disgorgement dates, and will therefore show markedly different characteristics,” he says. 

Overall, Gergeos shares that sparkling wines, like all other styles of wine, end up battling  with oxygen exposure upon opening. “Once Champagne is exposed to air, it slowly begins to oxidize and lose its characteristics,” he says. To make open Champagne last as long as possible, Gorgeous recommends simply covering the bottle with a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap after serving, revealing that this will also help decrease the level of oxidation within the wine. Be sure to stick with foil or plastic wrap, as using corks or solid objects will explode out from the top of the bottle due to pressure build up!