Should you Cellar Chardonnay?
Michael Gray
Updated on May 21, 2026
Does Chardonnay Age Well? The answer to this question depends greatly on the style and quality of the wine. Top Chardonnays from California and France aged in fine oak can be cellared for several years, though most American white wines are consumed within 1-2 years of their release.
Does Chardonnay get better with age?
Chardonnay This is the most well-known of the age-worthy whites. Chardonnay gets its ability to age from a combination of higher acidity paired with oak-aging (which adds tannin). Be sure to look for Chardonnay wines with a low pH.Is 20 year old Chardonnay still good?
Most wines, red or white, are made to drink well upon release and are best enjoyed while still young and fresh, so I would agree with your “five years or less” assessment. But some of the best Chardonnays in the world (white Burgundy and others) can age for a decade or more.How long is unopened Chardonnay good for?
Chardonnay: 2-3 years. Better ones can keep for 5-7 years. Riesling: Generally 3-5 years, though the very best can have a longer lifespan. Sauvignon Blanc: Drink within 18 months to 2 years at the latest.How do you store Chardonnay long term?
Store Wine Bottles Horizontally.For bottles with corks, be sure to store your wine horizontally in a wine rack. Keeping wine on its side helps keep the cork moist, which is key for long-term storage, as a dried out cork can cause seepage and premature aging.
Chardonnay Wine ... 5 Reasons to love Chardonnay Wine! [Your wine cellar will thank you]
How many years can you keep Chardonnay?
Chardonnay: 2-3 years. Better ones can keep for 5-7 years. Riesling: 3-5 years. Sauvignon Blanc: 18 months to 2 years.Is 20 year old wine still good?
Generally, wine should be kept in cool, dark places with bottles placed on their sides to prevent the cork from drying out. The shelf life of unopened wine can last 1–20 years depending on the type of wine.Does white wine go bad if not refrigerated?
How Long Is White Wine Good After Opening Unrefrigerated? 3-5 days will be enough time to drink full-bodied white wine. Wines that are light white or rosé have a shelf life of 3-5 days. Red wine has a shelf life of 3 to 5 days, and some even improve with age.Do white wines get better with age?
It's why late-harvest sweet wines can also age so well, because both acid and sugar are preservatives. From a less scientific, more sensory perspective, white wine should become less acidic and develop a more integrated flavor over time, says Morrison. “It gets a creamier texture.Does white wine go bad unopened?
When stored properly and kept unopened, white wines can often outlive their recommended drinking window by 1-2 years, red wines by 2-3 years, and cooking wines by 3-5 years. Fine wine — as you may have guessed — can typically be consumed for decades.Can you drink 100 year old wine?
I've personally tried some really old wines—including a Port that was about a hundred years old—that were fantastic. I've had others that were over the hill at their 10th anniversary. Many if not most wines are made to be drunk more or less immediately, and they'll never be better than on the day they're released.Can you drink 2007 Chardonnay?
You can still safely drink it (it won't harm you like bad milk or cream). Just don't expect guests to lap it up with gusto at your next dinner party.Can old Chardonnay make you sick?
Drinking old wine will not make you sick, but it will likely start to taste off or flat after five to seven days, so you won't get to enjoy the wine's optimal flavors. Longer than that and it'll start to taste unpleasant.How long does oaked Chardonnay last?
3–5 days in fridge with a cork Full-bodied white wines, like oaked Chardonnay and Viognier, tend to oxidize more quickly because they saw more oxygen during their pre-bottling aging process.Is 30 year old wine still good?
Should Old Red Wine Breathe? Some Burgundy lovers argue that old red Burgundy is too fragile to breathe, and shouldn't even be decanted. Experienced Nebbiolo drinkers go the other way, recommending at least an hour or two in the decanter for top quality, well-stored, 30+ year-old Barolos and Barbarescos.What does old Chardonnay taste like?
Chardonnay can taste different, depending on where it grows and how it's made. But typically, Chardonnay is a dry, medium- to full-bodied wine with moderate acidity and alcohol. Its flavors range from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple, and it also shows notes of vanilla when it's aged with oak.Can you age Chardonnay in a bottle?
Position for Aging ChardonnayThe way in which wine bottles are stored is vital to their longevity. Aging Chardonnay bottles on their sides will ensure the wine rests against its cork.