Can You Freeze Champagne?

  • Last Updated - 5/30/23
can you freeze champagne

Many questions arise about the proper storage of this prestigious sparkling wine, one of the most common being, “Can you freeze champagne?” 

 

The Short Answer: No 

 

The simple, straightforward answer to the question of whether you can freeze champagne is no. While freezing might seem like a reasonable solution to prolong the life of some food and beverages, it’s not recommended for champagne for several reasons.

Table of Contents

Effects of Freezing on Champagne

  1. Damage to the Bottle: The first and foremost concern is physical damage to the bottle. As champagne freezes, the liquid inside the bottle expands. This can lead to the cork popping out, or worse, the bottle shattering. And can be particularly true if the bottle is full.
  2. Change in Taste and Texture: Freezing can drastically alter the characteristics of Champagne. At extremely low temperatures, the delicate balance of flavors can be disturbed, the sugar and alcohol can separate from the wine, and the delightful fizz can be lost. Therefore, upon thawing, the champagne is likely to be flat and not nearly as enjoyable as it should be.
  3. Effect on Sediments: High-quality champagne often contains sediments – the remnants of yeast used in the fermentation process. These sediments contribute to the flavor and body of the champagne. However, freezing can cause these sediments to form larger clumps, further disrupting the taste and appearance of the champagne.

Proper Storage of Champagne

vinotemp 108 bottle wine fridge at costco

If you want to preserve your champagne, it’s crucial to store it correctly. Champagne should ideally be stored upright in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature, such as a wine cellar or a dedicated wine fridge. 

 

If these are not available, a standard refrigerator is acceptable for short-term storage. It’s crucial to keep the Champagne away from light, especially sunlight, as light can degrade the quality of the Champagne over time. The ideal temperature for storing champagne is between 7-10 degrees Celsius (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit). 

 

As for opened bottles, Champagne loses its carbonation quickly once opened. It’s best to consume an opened bottle within 3-5 hours. However, if you must store it, specialized wine or Champagne stoppers can help keep it fizzy for about 24 hours.

At What Temperature Does Champagne Freeze?

The exact freezing point can vary depending on the specific Champagne, but generally, Champagne and other types of wine will start to freeze at around -9 to -6 degrees Celsius (approximately 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit).

How Long Does it Take Champagne to Freeze?

The time it takes for Champagne to freeze will depend on several factors including the temperature of your freezer, the starting temperature of the Champagne, the size of the bottle, and the alcohol content of the Champagne itself. 

 

Most standard household freezers are set at -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower.

 

  • Given these conditions, a bottle of champagne placed in a typical home freezer might begin to freeze within 3-4 hours.
  • However, the process to freeze completely could take significantly longer, possibly up to 8-12 hours.
 

So, if you wish to chill your champagne quickly, placing it in an ice bucket filled with ice and water for 20-30 minutes should bring it to the right serving temperature.

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