I left my wine in the freezer!

Noctu

I popped my favourite unopened bottle of wine in the freezer last night to chill it quickly, intending to have some with my dinner.

I promptly forgot all about it and opened a different bottle!

I've just had a look in the freezer and fished it out - it's kinda slushy inside. I don't know what's happened to the cork - I assume the liquid has expanded, as some of the slush was coming out of the top of the bottle.

If I left it to stand, would it be ok? It's my favourite wine! *sob*

Thanks!
Rachel.

Pink.

Hi Noctu,

Just be grateful that the cork did come out. I did that once but the cork stayed firmly lodged and the bottle cracked....it was great fun poking through the freezer trying to find all the bits of glass.

I would let the wine stand and then try it to see if it's drinkable. If not, could you use it to cook with?

Pink

kathyd_2

Pure alcohol doesn't freeze so because the wine is not 'pure alcohol' that is the reason is has just gone slushy, but I'd do as Pink has suggested, although I think it should be ok.

Debt_Free_Chick

OMG I've lost count of the number of times I've done this

Check the bottle carefully to make sure it's not cracked. And if not, then simply stand the bottle at room temperature and it will return to normal. Well, nearly normal - you might find that the taste has deteriorated a little but it ought still to be drinkable.

If the bottle is cracked, you could still rescue the wine by standing the bottle in a bowl and letting the wine leak out. But, I wouldn't risk it - I don't fancy the idea of a shard of glass "cleaning" my intestines, no matter how small it is :eek:

Bargain_Rzl

I did this a couple of months ago! The cork was forced out most of the way, but the bottle didn't crack.

I wrapped it in kitchen roll to catch the condensation while thawing out, and stood it in the fridge door. Next day it was absolutely fine, drinkable, and tasted completely normal.

Noctu

Just got the bottle out of the cupboard (I hid it 'cause I felt so stupid about it!!) and thankfully it's not cracked. After further inspection of the freezer I found the cork, it must have popped out, along with a bit more slushy wine.

I couldn't really cook with it as it's quite sweet - between medium sweet and dessert wine. My fave!

We'll have to see I suppose...

Thanks for your tips, and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's done this!!

zenmaster

Ha Ha! I did exactly the same thing.

Just before Christmas lunch I realised that I hadn't chilled a bottle of white so I stuck it in the freezer. Everyone at the meal drank red so I completely forgot about it.

Found it on Boxing Day, thawed it, and served it up at a party in the evening.

We had no complaints and noone was ill so I guess it was OK (I don't drink the stuff myself).

wishiwasarichgirl

yummm, wine slushy, must try that one

magyar

Out of interest, you can make brandy this way! Won't be the world's best brandy, mind, but it's the same principle as distillation. Apparently you need to get down to -15C.

Avoriaz

zenmaster wrote:

...In the end what you don't surrender, well the world just strips away.

Bruce Springsteen's Human Touch. I am a very longstanding fan.:beer:

Avoriaz

Freezing is not good for wines but only an expert is likely to notice much difference in taste. If it happens again, just leave it in the fridge to defrost for 12 – 24 hours, then drink it and enjoy it. It will not do you the slightest harm. Well no more than normal anyway.:D

As Magyar writes, it has turned into a type of brandy. The water in the wine will have frozen but the alcohol will still be liquid. The mush is a mixture of the two. If you want to experiment, next time separate the runnier liquid from the more solid ice and try drinking it. Be careful, as it will be quite potent. It could prove to be an interesting experience.:beer:

Try and avoid leaving bottles of champagne and sparkling wine in the freezer for more than 20 or 30 minutes. There is a real risk of the bottle shattering violently if you leave it in a freezer for too long because of the dissolved carbon dioxide. The same applies to any fizzy drink.