Why do they hand you the cork when you order wine at a nice restaurant?

Answer 1

Don't smell it. Visually inspect it. Press on it.

Is it intact and slightly springy? Yes? Good. The cork is normal.
Is it crumbly or cracked? No? Bad. The wine was stored badly, the cork was ruined and you've probably got a bad wine. Taste a bit of the wine to confirm whether the wine has gone off.

While you're at it, check the name and design on the cork. Another mark of authenticity and sometimes attractively done.

Answer 2

They give you the cork so you can check it for signs of spoilage. Thecork should appear moist, not dried and cracked. the wine shouldn't be visible much more than two or three millimeters from where it came in contact with the wine. These are both signs that air has gotten into the bottle which will spoil the wine. DO NOT smell the cork, as the wait staff will just laugh at you. It will only smell a little musty as the bottle has been sealed for quite some time.

Answer 3

Also so that you can inspect the cork. Why? I dunno. I think that it has something to do with shrinkage or deterioration of the cork during aging. Shrikage could allow oxygen infiltration into an otherwise airtight bottle. That's why wine should be stored on it's side and not upright. If the cork stays partially submerged in the wine, it will not shrink.

Answer 4

You meant to smell it, if it smell dusty or like wet cardboard, there is a good chance the wine is corked...

Answer 5

The cork is given to you to ensure that your wine is not vinegar. That is the very short version.

....and no its not something that you put in your mouth.

Answer 6

so you can check the aroma of the wine.

Answer 7

It's to insert it in your mouth so you don't say anything embarrassing.

Answer 8

i guess you are supposed to smell it