Probably everyone has put a bottle of vino in the freezer to quickly chill it and 99% of us have faced ice forming in the bottle at least once in a lifetime. When this happens, many people don’t know whether they can drink it and how safe it is. Let’s ask a wine shop manager to tell us about it.

Today, Andrew, sommelier and manager with over 20 years’ experience, will help us understand this issue. He spent most of his life selecting the best wines all over the world, including products from Georgia’s Vineyards so he knows a thing or two about it))

The Best Wine Store Explains: Can Alcohol Really Freeze

Vino is an alcoholic drink and lots of people think that it should not freeze, but it is not so. If we talk about strong alcohol like whiskey or vodka, it really will not freeze, but vino is a completely different matter. It usually contains no more than 16% alcohol and turns into ice at a temperature of about -7°C.

Freezing point of alcoholic beverages:

  • Low-alcohol drinks such as wine or beer become ice at -5 to -9°С.
  • Strong drink such as whiskey needs at least -35°С.

I think you know that when a liquid freezes, it expands and can push out the cork or even burst the glass bottle, due to high internal pressure. As you understand, in both cases you will not be able to enjoy this drink.

How to Distinguish Frozen Product in Store with Wine

In short, it is practically impossible to distinguish such a product. The fact is that vino can actually be exposed to sub-zero temperatures for a short time, during delivery or storage in a warehouse. But firstly, this does not affect the quality, since the product will not cool down too much, and secondly, every wine importer ensures that such situations arise as rarely as possible, since if the bottle bursts, he just loses money.

For example, you could see the situation when the bottle is placed in a bucket of ice and served at the table even in very expensive restaurants. So, this does not harm the drink at all.

Georgian Wine Shop Advises How to Save Frozen Liquor

If you bought good wine and it accidentally froze do not panic, there is still a chance to save it. Put the bottle to the refrigerator and let it slowly melt. Avoid using a microwave or direct heat this can reduce the quality.

After defrosting, you can still enjoy your premium drink if:

  • The cork hasn’t burst or leaked.
  • The wine’s color remains intact.
  • The aroma retains fruity or earthy notes, not vinegary ones.

In conclusion, we wish you enjoy favorite drinks, take care of yourself and spend time with your loved ones.