Is wine that is dated best by June 14 2015...still okay to drink 1/27/16 ??
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I would be very curious to know which wine has a "best by" date on the packaging, going so far as to indicate the exact day. It is a very unusual practice to put what would be interpreted as an expiration date on wine, which is unlike perishables. In fact, many products have a "sell by" date indicating when the manufacturer or retailer thinks it should be in the hands of consumers. However, even this apparent deadline does not mean the product has to be consumed by that precise date. Bottled wine has a lifespan of a few years to many decades, depending on type and storage conditions, and of course some wines actually improve with age. The finest, age-worthy examples are sometimes transformed into unforgettable experiences! Boxed wine is the exception to this rule. For example, Black Box from California prints the packaging date on the bottom of the box, and they suggest the wine is at its best if drunk within 15 months. The reason is that oxygen may penetrate the vacuum-sealed pouch inside the box, slowly changing and lessening the wine's flavors - but in no way making it harmful to consume. In other words, the issue is simply one of taste, not the health of the user. Is the wine you're referring to in a box?
