Wine

[quinie]

I've several bottles of wine, one dated 2002. How long can wine be kept before it's past its use-by date?

[maxi2]

It depends on the wine. Is it red or white and how has it been stored?

[quinie]

1 Hardy's Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 -Stored upright in a cupboard 2 Hardy's Semillon Chardonnay 2006 stored in same way.

[Milvus]

Wine bottles with corks should be stored on their side as there is a danger that the cork could dry out and let air in that could ruin the wine. Screw tops are OK upright. Cabernet's should be fine for 20 years or more. Not all of them will continue to improve for that length of time though

[Calibax]

As Milvus says the Cabernet should be fine as long as the cork hasn't dried out too much. You may need to decant it first though. Check if there's any sediment in the bottom. The semillon will probably be OK too but past its best.
The best way to find out is to open them! Cheers!

[quinie]

Thank you very much for your help. Actually i was going to donate them for a tombola stall so just wanted to ckeck if they'd be OK