Is a 2008 red wine still good?

The best way to enjoy your wine fresh is to drink it shortly after you purchase it. However, you can still enjoy unopened wine about 1–5 years after the expiration date, while leftover wine can be enjoyed 1–5 days after it has been opened, depending on the type of wine.

How long can you keep a bottle of merlot?

3-5 years
Merlot: Keep no more than 3-5 years. Zinfandel: This red wine will last for 2-5 years. Ageing is typically a red wine’s game; most whites don’t have the tannins to keep for more than 18 months or so.

Was 2008 a good year for wine?

Overall, the 2008 vintage was good but, for most regions, it stopped short of being truly excellent. For the New World, the year was generally very good, with Australia having an extremely successful vintage. However, California, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile also produced some very good wines.

How Long Can red wine last unopened?

RED WINE – UNOPENED BOTTLE How long does unopened red wine last? Most ready-to-drink wines are at their best quality within 3 to 5 years of production, although they will stay safe indefinitely if properly stored; fine wines can retain their quality for many decades.

How long does merlot last opened?

Full bodied wines are most commonly red, although Chardonnay falls under this category as well. Examples of red full-bodied wines include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. After opening, these wines can be kept for 3-5 days as long as they are stored in a cool, dark place with a cork on.

Is 2008 a good Bordeaux year?

For Bordeaux, the 2008 vintage was a good year, but perhaps stopped short of great. The weather threw a few surprises, with the growing season kicking off with a mild winter. Early spring saw cool, damp weather, which prompted both rot and disease, making spraying essential.

Was 2008 a good vintage in Napa?

Grade: B+ Napa vintners will remember 2008 as a year that offered winemakers a little bit of everything. But after that it was smooth sailing, winemakers said, resulting in wines of very good to exceptional quality.

How do you know if red wine is bad?

Your Bottle of Wine Might Be Bad If:

  1. The smell is off.
  2. The red wine tastes sweet.
  3. The cork is pushed out slightly from the bottle.
  4. The wine is a brownish color.
  5. You detect astringent or chemically flavors.
  6. It tastes fizzy, but it’s not a sparkling wine.