I have a bottle of Rioja that I opened three days ago and I'm not sure if it's still good to drink. I've got it in the fridge but it's not sealed properly. How long does wine last after you open it and is there any trick to keep it from oxidizing?
Three days is quite a long time, and depending on how much air got in, the wine is probably already oxidized - typically it'll last between 3 and 5 days in the fridge if it's sealed up properly. What works is storing the bottle upright (not on its side), capping it as airtight as possible, ideally with a screw cap or silicone stopper, and keeping it in the fridge because the cold slows down oxidation. If you want to extend the life of open bottles, there are cheap vacuum pumps that remove the air, but honestly the simplest method is to transfer what's left to a smaller bottle to minimize the air space on top.
The trick that works best is using a smaller bottle or an airtight decanter instead of leaving the wine in the original one with air inside. If you've got a smaller glass bottle, pour what's left and seal it up tight; that way you minimize the oxygen in contact with the liquid. In the fridge it'll last quite a bit longer like that, like a week or even a bit more if the cork is decent.
About your Rioja from three days ago: if the bottle was poorly sealed in the fridge, it's probably already a bit off. Red wine doesn't last as long as white once it's open, and without an airtight seal the oxidation process speeds up. I'd say just taste it directly: if it smells like acetone or vinegar, toss it. If it smells good and tastes normal, go for it.
There's another homemade trick that works for a lot of people: stick a marble or glass ball in the bottle before you cap it. It takes up space and reduces some of the air, though honestly the best method is still pouring it into a smaller container or using those vacuum stoppers that are cheap and effective. The fridge is mandatory anyway - without that nothing lasts.
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