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Keeping your Champagne fresh: how long it lasts and how to store it
Whether you’re celebrating something special or just cracking a bottle because it’s Tuesday, Champagne deserves to be enjoyed at its best.
But what happens if you don’t finish the bottle? Will it still sparkle tomorrow? And how long can you keep Champagne in the cellar before it’s past its prime? Here’s everything you need to know about storing Champagne – opened or unopened – and how to make sure it stays fresh and fizzy.
How long does Champagne last after opening?
Once opened, Champagne will keep its bubbles for three to five days – as long as it’s sealed and refrigerated.
That’s thanks to the way it’s made. Champagne undergoes a second fermentation inside the bottle, which locks in those fine, persistent bubbles. So, if you’re only pouring a couple of glasses, don’t stress – the rest will keep nicely in the fridge.
What makes Champagne different?
Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France, made using the Méthode Champenoise. This traditional method gives it its signature complexity – think fresh bread, citrus, green apple – and those famously fine bubbles.
Most Champagnes are made from Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Blanc de Blancs (made entirely from Chardonnay) tend to age best and last longest.
Many of Australia’s top sparkling wines – especially those from Adelaide Hills, Victoria and Tasmania – use the same grapes and winemaking methods. Though of course they can’t be called Champagne as they aren’t made in the region.
How Champagne gets its sparkle
Here’s the science bit.
After its first fermentation, Champagne gets a dose of sugar and yeast before being sealed with a crown cap. This triggers a second fermentation inside the bottle. The carbon dioxide produced has nowhere to go – so it stays in the wine, ready to fizz when opened.
What affects how long Champagne lasts?
Two things mainly:
- Whether it’s Vintage or Non-Vintage (NV)
- The grape varieties used
Vintage Champagne is made from grapes harvested in a single year and aged for at least three years before release. It’s more complex and can be cellared longer.
Non-Vintage Champagne blends grapes from different years and is usually meant for earlier drinking – though top NVs (like Krug Grande Cuvée) can age beautifully.
Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, made purely from Chardonnay, tend to last longer than blends and benefit more from ageing.
How long does unopened Champagne last?
Here’s a quick guide:
- Vintage Champagne: five to ten years, or up to 15 if you like a more developed style
- Non-Vintage Champagne: three to four years, though premium NVs can go longer
- Blanc de Blancs: usually outlast other styles
How to store Champagne
To keep your bottles in top condition:
- Store between 7–10°C, away from light
- Keep the temperature steady – avoid hot spots or sudden changes
- Lay bottles flat to keep corks moist
- Don’t move them around – let them rest
- Stand upright a few weeks before opening (especially vintage Champagne)
Best way to keep sparkling wine fresh after opening
Simple steps:
- Keep it cold – refrigerate straight away
- Seal it – use a Champagne stopper or a wine cork
Cooler temperatures slow down gas expansion, so your bubbles stay put.
What about other sparkling wines?
Not all fizz is made like Champagne. Many use the Charmat (tank) method – like Prosecco – where the second fermentation happens in a tank, not the bottle. It’s great for preserving fruity flavours, but the bubbles are bigger and don’t last as long.
Here’s a guide:
Traditional method wines – 3–5 days
- Champagne
- Crémant (quality fizz from France, but not Champagne)
- English sparkling wine
Tank method wines – 2–3 days
- Prosecco (Spumante lasts longer than Frizzante)
- Moscato d’Asti (best drunk on the day)
- Quality Australian Sparkling wines
How to tell if Champagne’s gone off
If it’s lost its fizz, it’s probably past its best. It might still be OK for cooking – but if it smells sour or tastes flat, it’s time to let it go.
Final tip
To enjoy every last drop, keep opened Champagne chilled and sealed. It’ll stay fresh for up to five days – perfect for a cheeky glass midweek.
