Just a quick question for all you brewing finatics. How long can you keep cider? Most people say it's good in 6 months. What's it like in say 6 years? Saw someone open a bottle of champagne that was from 1975 and it still tasted alright... Does this apply to cider? Would be interested to hear people's opinions...
How old is too old
- Thread starter benkrupt
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outstretched
Well-Known Member
Depends on a lot of factors. Oxygen being one of the major ones. If you can keep oxygen from getting to it, it'll only become more and more fantastic with time. Also storing temp / light / a handful of other factors also play a roll, but mainly oxygen.
roadymi
Well-Known Member
If it smells ok it should taste ok. How long it can age is dependent on storage conditions as stated and also alcohol content. A 5% cider won't store as long as a 12% apple wine.
LeBreton
Well-Known Member
It may help to think of cider shelf-life as an arc depending on the factors already stated. Some ciders, such as a low ABV, unsulfited, corked, still wine may be best shortly after bottling. Meanwhile, a strong apple wine, properly sulfited, sparkling with a crown closure may peak sometime after 3-4 years (shot in the dark estimate).
Wines behave the same way.
Wines behave the same way.
