Does Champagne go off?????

[Athlon]

Daft question but I was given a bottle of Lanson Black Label a good few years ago and just found it! So the quwstion is if I drink it tonight will it be O.K. or will I die a miserable painful death??

Thanks in advance, I hope you all have a fantastic night and a happy and prosperous new year

[Miss Pitstop]

I think it's best drunk within a year if it's been kept upright, and longer if it's kept lying down. Something to do with the liquid being in contact with the cork.

I'm sure it will be fine to drink tonight, but if you are in any doubt, I can drink it for you and report back!

[whitechief]

Depends on how it has been stored. There's only one way to find out if it is drinkable

[Magog]

Pretty certain the non vintage stuff does go off, has a shelf life of 5-6 years i believe. I found some 187ml bottles knocking about that had turned to vinegar a few years ago, but these are notoriously bad anyway. Not sure how long vintage champagne can last for, someone will know.

[Shaw Tarse]

You'll be fine!

[grumbledoak]

This bloke suggest it can keep: http://www.thewinedoctor.com/tastingsprofile/lanso...

But, in truth, not much you can do other than give it a try!

Best of luck.

[ErnestM]

Better vintage stuff can last for quite a while provided it is stored properly (cool, dark, environmentally controlled - ie: a cellar). I had an absolutely lovely Bollinger RD 1988 over Christmas.

[mybrainhurts]

Shaw Tarse said:

You'll be fine!

Don't listen to him...he's an undertaker