Aside from discovering poetry in food, there is perhaps no greater disappointment in a fine dining experience than ordering an expensive bottle of wine, only to discover that it tastes funny.
But don’t be alarmed. Corked wine is a normal but annoying phenomenon. And since it is estimated 1% to 7% of bottles are corkedChances are, you’ll encounter one at some point in your life.
What is a wine cork?
“Corked wine is caused by a compound called trichloroanisole, or TCA, which contaminates the cork, the bottle or the wine itself during harvest, production or even shipping,” said Vinny Miliano, bar manager at Famous Wines. Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
TCA is most often found as a fungicide in cork, but it can also show itself in pesticides, preservatives, and cleaning products found in wineries. Drums and cardboard boxes can also be sources of “contamination”, even if high quality control standards are strictly implemented.
“Corked wine is not harmful to consume, but it is definitely not fun to drink and will definitely diminish the experience,” Miliano added.
Despite the temporary embarrassment and disruption of dinner service, it is acceptable to send something that is not up to standard. After all, if you’re spending hard-earned money treating yourself and your loved ones, you don’t want the evening to go, well, sour.
We asked Miliano, as well as Courtney Cheney, the company’s director of beverage operations Ocean Primeto explain how to tell if a wine is corked and the proper protocol for reporting the problem with a sommelier or server. (For more wine tips, read our best sommelier tips for finding economical bottles and learn how to properly store each type of opened wine.)
How to tell if wine is corked
Corked wine may smell like wet cardboard or a damp basement.
There are usually two immediate indicators to detect if a wine has been corked: smell and taste. “Corked wine usually smells like wet cardboard, mold, or like a damp basement,” Miliano said. “If you taste it, you will notice that the taste may be dull or unpleasant, lacking the expected fruit and structure.”
Cheney echoes these accurate descriptions, adding that the taste of a corked wine will also be “flat with a distinct astringency in extremes that also lacks fruit.”
While one might think that some tannin-rich varieties are more prone to clogging than others, TCA does not discriminate. “Cork taint is easier to identify in unaged wines, because of the strong aromatics that accompany oak aging,” Cheney said. “that it [also] “This is more likely to occur in wines that contain traditional corks.”
Read more: We asked a wine expert if opened red wine lasts longer in the fridge
How to re-cork a wine
If you find a corked bottle, a wine professional or bar manager will likely address these unfortunate circumstances. “The best approach is the simplest,” Miliano said. “Politely inform your server or bartender. No crime will be committed, and most hospitality professionals are trained to handle the situation safely.”
This may include tasting the wine itself before replacing the bottle or glass. If you are not completely sure, you can also rely on their experts for an explanation and/or final confirmation.
“I had a whole case of the wonderful Rioja completely shut down,” said Miliano, who also says there was no need to “feel embarrassed or angry” at the moment. Checking quality is just part of the process and an important step to determine whether additional inventory has been affected.
“You can also check the cork, which should be presented to you when your server opens the bottle,” Cheney added. “If it smells musty and damp, it’s probably broke.” Of course, if there is any kind of opposition, escalate the matter to the restaurant managers or owners after your meal. This can be done via email to avoid confrontation.
Read more: 7 amazing recipes you can add wine to
There is nothing to wine about
Any restaurant worth its salt will replace a clogged bottle with a good one for free.
Cheney summed up the wine cork concept best: “Cork taint is a naturally occurring fault in wine, so most restaurants will replace the bottle without further questions or charges.”
While an offensive sip may be unlucky, remember that it’s probably the worst thing that will happen to you that day. Accept it, say something about it, and then move on. It’s no one’s fault (not even the winemaker) and you deserve more than a delicious, stress-free meal that’s worth every dollar you spend.