How Long Will Your Favourite Bottle of Prosecco Last and What to Do with the Leftovers
We all love a good glass of sparkling wine to commemorate a special occasion, be it a birthday celebration or simply the fact that we’ve made it through the day. But if you can’t seem to finish the whole bottle, your mind must be filled with all the different questions, like does Prosecco go bad or what are the best ways of storing Prosecco? Don’t worry, we have all the answers as well as creative ideas on how you can store or reuse your leftover Prosecco without wasting even a drop of the wine.
How to Store Your Prosecco?
Our award-winning Pale Fox Prosecco is known for its delicate flavour and long-lasting fizz, so when it comes to storing it, it’s important not to compromise its fresh aromas and crispy bubbles.
If you’re going to consume your wine soon, there’s no harm in keeping it in the fridge, but if you’re saving it for a special occasion, it’s recommended to store your unopened Prosecco bottle horizontally to prevent the cork from drying out, while avoiding direct sunlight, vibrations or temperature fluctuations.
This means that keeping your favourite sparkling wine in the kitchen near the stove might not be the best idea, as the heat may spoil the taste of such delicate wine. Ideally, set aside your favourite Brut in a cool dark place and simply pop it in the fridge the night before you plan on consuming it.
How to Serve Your Prosecco?
To fully enjoy the wine, it’s better to serve it chilled at 5-7°C, but if you’re in a hurry to taste a fresh Prosecco bottle, that's not an issue. Simply fill a wine bucket with a mixture of ice and cold water, plus a secret ingredient - salt. It will help to cool your wine faster. Alternatively, if you’re planning ahead, simply chill it in a wine fridge overnight.
Like any fizzy drink, sparkling Prosecco has a tendency to become flat after some prolonged air contact. Luckily, we know a few tips on how to keep your sparkling wine bubbly longer.
Tip number one would be drinking Prosecco in small portions to enjoy the wine at the peak of its freshness. Choosing the right wine glass can allow the bubbles to stay alive longer as well. That is why traditionally sparkling wines are served in thin long glasses called flute. But if you want to be immediately surprised by the complex aromas of green apple and elderflower, opt for a coupe glass that opens the wine’s aromatic qualities a little bit faster. A coupe may not have much room for the bubbles to travel, but it will certainly accentuate the Prosecco’s delicate scent, immediately filling the room with joyful freshness.
Does Prosecco go bad?
Like any consumable product, Prosecco may not taste so delicious a few days after the bottle is opened, especially if the amount of leftover wine is small, as it oxidises faster, losing its elegant taste and developing aromas of sherry or even worse, vinegar. Still, you can safely store Prosecco that's been opened for up to two days, as long as you don’t forget to close it with an airtight wine stopper.
How long does Prosecco last unopened?
If you are planning to save a few bottles of the precious Superiore Prosecco or Prosecco Rosé for a special occasion, it’s generally considered best to consume unopened prosecco bottles within 2 years. Prosecco is the type of wine that doesn’t have to be aged for decades in a wine cellar, as it’s meant to be enjoyed fresh, crisp and fruity.
What to do with leftover Prosecco?
It isn’t always easy to finish a whole bottle in one sitting. Fortunately, Prosecco wine can be used in all kinds of culinary ways.
Sparkling wines are a perfect ingredient when preparing risotto. Contrary to the popular belief, the wine that you add to the dish does not always have to be still. Simply add a glass of Prosecco to your vegetable or seafood risotto and let the alcohol evaporate. Or even better, if you want to surprise your guests with an unusual, yet delicate cheesy or mushroom risotto, use a glass of Rosé Prosecco instead of the white wine. It will certainly add some depth of flavour to your creamy dish.
Another appetising idea is to cook up a white wine sauce that will perfectly accompany white poultry, fish or even a pasta dish. It’s a surprisingly easy recipe that will only take you around 10 minutes to prepare. Simply melt some unsalted butter, add diced shallots, and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Thicken with flour to create a roux and keep stirring, while adding some Prosecco, heavy cream and seasoning with salt and pepper. Give it a few minutes, and voilà, a creamy and delicious white wine sauce is ready.
Alternatively, if you’re not in the mood to cook, why not prepare a festive refreshment for the holidays? Simply fill an ice cube tray with fresh Prosecco, decorate it with wild berries and store it in the freezer until it’s time for a party. As a bonus, you can use the same Prosecco ice cubes recipe to prepare a treat for those who drive or don’t enjoy drinking liquor by substituting wine with Pale Fox Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine.
In conclusion: Drink prosecco fresh, store it right and don’t forget to use your leftover wine for culinary adventures.
With these tips, you will be able to enjoy the sparkling and refreshing taste of Prosecco for hopefully even longer. Enjoy!