Champagne in the fridge...

[joeyz6]

I put a bottle of champagne in the fridge about a month ago, thinking I was going to drink it a couple of days later, but I haven't had the opportunity yet. Does anyone know how long the champagne will stay good in the fridge?

[Botafogo]

I would be getting on that one soon. The problem is that your fridge fluctuates as much as 15 degrees on a constant basis which raises and lowers the pressure in the bottle which can compromise the cork seal.

Roberto

[joeyz6]

Thanks, Roberto. One more question: Can I take it back out of the fridge and put it back in my cellar? Or would that ruin it?

[mrdutton]

Here is some anecdotal evidence that you can keep sparkling wine in the fridge for a while............

About 24 years ago my wife and I were given a bottle of Korbel Brut for our wedding.

It was stored in our refrigerator in the garage for the last 13 years, after having been moved around from one place to next during our travels and my transfers in the Navy.

Last year I opened it and drank it. And it was still quite drinkable for what it was.

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 08-28-2001).]

[Innkeeper]

But don't put it back in your cellar.

[joeyz6]

Thanks, all. Much obliged!

[tomstevenson]

The process of refridgeration also extracts moisture from the air, which in turn extracts moisture from the cork, further compromising the seal.

I liked Mr Dutton's anectdote and, of course, no one is suggesting leaving a wine in the fridge 13 weeks, let alone 13 years (although I dare say Randy C might!), but anomalies happen. My great aunt once gave me a bottle of Moet that her husband had put in her attic and he had been dead 14 years, so 14 years of the most humungous extremes of temperature imaginable, yet it was one of the finest preserved non-vintage Champagnes I had ever tasted. However, I don't recommend it!
Tom

[Thomas]

Tom, if he was dead how did he get to put the wine in the attic?--ba da bing...

[summa]

I'm a bit confused I must admit. I could understand this talk of cork seals with any still wine, but with the size and compression of a sparkling wine cork, I'd find it hard to imagine there'd be a problem.
Just curious....

[Bucko]

Oh yeah, nothing more wonderful than "popping" a cork on a bottle and there is no fizz, no pop, flat as a fritter, a goner...... gotta be the cork, no?

Bucko