McGregor Pinotage Wine, Vintage 2005...to drink, or not to drink?

ecoelle

Evening all, right, having the girls over tonight for a pamper session and i have a new bottle of white, new bottle of rose and a new bottle of red...oh no i haven't i've got a bottle of red that's been sat in my pantry for about 4 years? Is it safe? Does red wine go off...will i be able to tell if it has...i don't drink but worried if it's horrid and i serve it to guests it might ruin the night, Thanks in advance:)

vanoonoo

it's unlikely to have gone off but it might have corked, so if when you open it you notice a very vinegary smell or if the cork crumbles a lot into the bottle then you wont want to drink it - have a great evening

rachbc

Corked wine smells very distinctly 'musty' almost damp like a mouldy cellar! Corking is cause by a bacteria in the cork not by it being old.

It should be fine - wine is kept for years and years -though obviously in more ideal storage conditions. If in doubt serve it after the other bottles and everyone will be too P-ed to notice - I only ever buy 2 good bottles- by the third no one cares!

babyshoes

Have a taste when you open it - if it doesn't taste good, just don't serve it! You could always open it before people arrive to 'breathe'.

ecoelle

Thanks, we didn't end up opening it so i guess we'll play wine roulette another day:)