Wine Faults

Unfortunately wine making is not perfect, and sometimes things do go wrong. On average about one bottle in a fifty has a fault. While most people might define such a bottle as corked, corked wine is one specific fault, and there are other things that can go wrong.

If you are unlucky enough to get a bottle that has a fault, pour the wine back into the bottle, fit the cork back in, and take it back to the store you bought it from. Most places will be very understanding, and replace the bottle.

Corked

Corked wine is usually the most common fault, it is caused by a mould in the cork. This mould taints the wine giving it a musty or damp cardboard smell. This is not an issue with plastic corks or screwcap bottles.

Oxidised

WIne is sensitive to oxygen and will slowly react with it, eventually turning into vinegar. If the seal on the bottle is either broken, or not airtight in the first place, the oxygen will get in and spoil the wine. Likewise leaving a bottle open means the wine will eventually spoil. This fault is more likely to occour on older, or badly kept bottles.

Sulphur

Sulphur is used as a preservative, particulaly in red wine. While this is generally a good thing, sometimes too much sulphur can be added. Too much sulphur will give a rubbery smell, and isn't good if you are asthmatic.

Poor Winemaking

Not all wine is made to the same standard for a particular price, and if you happen to buy cheap wine this will be more of an issue. For example poorly made wine can be overly acidic, or over oaked.

Return to the Wine Guide Contents
Serving a Wine | How to taste a Wine | Tasting Types | Describing a Wine | Wine with Food | Storing a Wine | Aging Wine |
Wine Faults