Have you ever opened a bottle of wine, poured yourself a glass and found that there is cork floating in the wine and the wine smells unusual? This can be a frustrating experience, but it is not necessarily a sign that your wine has spoiled. In this article, we will look at why there is sometimes cork in wine, what causes it and what you can do to prevent it from happening in the future.
What is cork?
Cork is a natural material that comes from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is harvested every nine years and the tree is not cut down, making cork an environmentally friendly and sustainable product. Cork is used in a variety of products, including flooring, bulletin boards and wine bottle stoppers. Why is cork in some wines?
Cork in wine is usually caused by a faulty cork closure. When a wine bottle is sealed with a cork, the cork can break or dissolve over time. When this happens, small pieces of cork can get into the wine, which is both unsightly and can affect the taste of the wine.
In some cases, cork in wine can also be caused by the way the wine is stored. When a wine bottle is stored upright for a long period of time, the cork can dry out, shrink and crumble, which can result in cork particles getting into the wine.
How does cork in wine affect the smell and taste?
If you've ever tasted wine with a cork stopper, you'll know that it can have a musty or moldy taste that overpowers the wine's natural flavor. This is caused by a compound called TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), which is produced by bacteria that can grow on cork. TCA can affect the aroma and flavor of wine, and even small amounts can be detected by the human palate.
If the wine has a musty or moldy taste, it is likely that it has been affected by TCA and the wine should be discarded.
What can you do to prevent cork in your wine?
In short: little.
Avoiding cork in your wine starts with choosing wines that have been properly sealed. Most wines are sealed with cork, but there are other options, including synthetic corks and screw caps, which are less likely to cork the wine.
If you choose to use wines with cork closures, it is important to store them properly. Wine bottles should be stored on their side so that the cork stays moist and does not dry out. This reduces the risk of the cork breaking or crumbling and prevents cork particles from getting into the wine.
It's also important to pay attention to the age of the wine you're buying. The longer it's been since a wine was bottled, the more likely the cork is to break or dry out. If you're buying an older vintage, it's worth checking the cork for signs of damage before opening the bottle.
What should you do if your wine contains cork?
If you have opened a bottle of wine and find that there is cork floating inside, the first thing you should do is examine the cork to see if it is intact. If the cork is broken or crumbled, the wine has probably been corked and you should discard it.
If the cork is intact, you can try straining the wine through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any cork particles. This can be a time-consuming process, but is an option if you are desperate to save the wine.
After your first experience with cork, you will also know the typical smell of cork. Let other wine experts point out cork to you so that you can remember the smell: damp, moldy cellar smell.
If your wine is from Vioneers and you suspect that it is corked, please let us know. We will send you a replacement bottle. Simply contact us here .
