Dear Karen, when you order a wine by the glass, is there any way to know how long the bottle of that wine has been open?

September 18, 2026

Dear Karen, when you order a wine by the glass, is there any way to know how long the bottle of that wine has been open? The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Dear Peter, Only if you ask. And I believe you should. Restaurants, of course, don’t want any wastage. But some wines do go bad, or flat, or become dull after they’ve been opened for more than a day. Unless the wine is being poured from a Coravin (which usually means it’s super expensive), I always ask the bartender or server when the bottle was opened. If they don’t know and seem hesitant, I (politely) ask if they’d open a fresh bottle. In my experience, most restaurants will.

—Karen

My Favorite Videos in Celebration of Come Over October — Dr Hoby Wedler

The Canelé’s Winemaking Roots

Instantly recognizable by its dark, caramelized crust and soft, custardy center, the canelé is Bordeaux’s iconic pastry. The pastry was born in the 18th century as a “byproduct” of winemaking. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.