Putting a bottle of wine in the freezer can be risky and potentially dangerous. Wine, like other liquids, expands when it freezes. If the bottle is sealed with a cork or a screw cap, the expanding ice can exert pressure on the container, causing it to crack or explode.
The exact time it takes for a bottle of wine to explode in the freezer can vary depending on several factors, including the temperature of the freezer, the alcohol content of the wine, and the volume of liquid in the bottle. Generally, the lower the alcohol content and the higher the volume of liquid, the longer it will take to freeze and potentially explode.
As a precaution, it's best not to leave a bottle of wine in the freezer for an extended period. Typically, if you forget to remove the wine from the freezer, it might start to show signs of freezing within a couple of hours. If you notice that the wine has started to freeze or form ice crystals, it's essential to remove it immediately to prevent an explosion.
To chill wine quickly, it's better to use other methods like placing the bottle in an ice bucket with a mixture of ice and water or in the refrigerator for a shorter period before serving. Alternatively, you can use a specialized wine chiller sleeve that can cool the wine rapidly without the risk of freezing and damaging the bottle.