Sparkling wine, like champagne and prosecco, will start to lose its effervescence and freshness once it's opened. How long it lasts after opening depends on how well it is stored and the type of closure used.
With a Champagne Stopper: If you use a proper champagne stopper or a sparkling wine stopper to reseal the bottle immediately after pouring, the wine can retain its carbonation and flavor for up to 1-3 days in the refrigerator. The key is to minimize the wine's exposure to air.
Without a Stopper: If you don't have a stopper and simply recork the bottle, the sparkling wine will start to lose its carbonation much faster, usually within a few hours. Without proper sealing, the wine may become flat and less enjoyable to drink.
Avoid Shaking: When handling an opened bottle of sparkling wine, try to avoid shaking or agitating it, as this can accelerate the loss of carbonation.
Regarding refrigeration, yes, it is essential to refrigerate sparkling wine after it's been opened. Keeping it cold slows down the loss of carbonation and preserves its freshness. Store the opened bottle in the refrigerator, and if you have a champagne stopper or airtight wine stopper, use it to seal the bottle tightly.
Remember, sparkling wine is best enjoyed fresh, so it's advisable to consume it within a day or two of opening to experience its full effervescence and flavor profile. If you can't finish the bottle within that time frame, consider using a vacuum pump or another wine-preserving system to remove excess air from the bottle to prolong its quality for an extra day or so.