1. Cork Taint
What to Look For: A distinctly unpleasant smell, often described as mouldy or like wet wool. In milder cases, the wine may lack any vibrant fruit aromas.
Reason: Cork taint occurs when the wine comes into contact with a contaminated cork, resulting in undesirable flavors. Surprisingly, over 5% of cork-sealed bottles are affected by cork taint, making it more common than you might think. If you detect cork taint, don't hesitate to send the bottle back.
2. Cooked Wine
What to Look For: Wine that tastes flat or dull, lacking in flavor and complexity.
Reason: Improper storage conditions, such as exposure to high temperatures, can prematurely age wine and diminish its quality. Each wine has an optimal drinking age, and leaving it too long can result in
3. Sulphur Taint
What to Look For: A smell reminiscent of rotten eggs.
Reason: Sulphur taint can occur in wines that have been exposed to excess sulfur dioxide during production or storage. This compound is commonly found in wines sealed with screw caps. If you detect a sulfur smell, it's a clear indicator that the wine has gone bad.
4. Sherry-Like Aroma
What to Look For: A wine that smells more like sherry than its intended aroma.
Reason: While sherry is a delightful drink in its own right, if your wine smells like sherry when it shouldn't, it's a sign that something has gone wrong. This could indicate oxidation or other spoilage issues.
5. Vinegar Smell
What to Look For: A sharp, pungent smell reminiscent of vinegar.
Reason: If your wine smells like vinegar, it has likely undergone acetic acid fermentation, turning it into vinegar. This sharp smell is a clear indication that the wine has spoiled and should be discarded.
Remember, trust your senses—if something smells or tastes off, it's better to err on the side of caution and open a new bottle. While some wines improve with age, they eventually reach a point of no return.
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