This is why you should never put sparkling wine in the fridge

It's a Prosecco no-no

Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

If you're a big Champagne fan, then you'll know that it is deemed the best drink to feature in your dating profile photo, and you will definitely know this very simple trick to work out the true quality of a bottle of champers.

But what you might not know is that you've actually been ruining the taste of the good stuff by storing it completely wrong.

Champagne masterminds Moët & Chandon revealed that keeping your bubbly in the fridge for too long is having a terrible impact on the flavour.

Talking to HuffPost, winemaker Marie-Christine Osselin explained: 'If you're planning to enjoy your bottle of Champagne (or sparkling wine) within 3 to 4 days of the purchase, it is fine to store the bottle in the refrigerator.'

However, keeping the sparkling wine in a fridge for any longer than that will completely change the taste.

'If it sits in the fridge for weeks, the cork can dry out due to no humidity,' Osselin warns. 'As corks dry out, the seal between the bottle and the cork loosens up and the Champagne will oxidise faster, changing its aromas.'

So if you plan on sipping your Champagne within a few days, store it in the fridge. Otherwise, Osselin advises keeping the bottle in a cool place, away from light and at a consistent temperature. Apparently, this is the case for all sparkling wines - from Champagne, to Prosecco, to Cava.

And when the time does come to enjoy your fizz, she confirms that in order to make the most of it you should fill a bucket with ice and one third water, allowing the bottle to chill for 15-20 minutes before drinking. Then, pour into a tulip glass and hold by the stem to stop it from going warm too quickly.

Chin-chin!