Does unopened wine go bad?

Most brands of unopened wine will expire or spoil after a certain time. The shelf life of wine depends on the variety.

The standard bottle of unopened white wine is good for 1 to 2 years past the expiration date. Opened white wine should be consumed in 1 to 3 days.

An unopened bottle of red wine can be safely stored for 2 to 3 years past the expiration date. Once this type of wine is opened, it should be used in 1 to 2 weeks.

Fine wines can be stored in a wine cellar for decades. Temperature and light exposure are critical in storing fine wine.