2007-03-23 09:08:51 · 12 answers · asked by colin050659 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
muffin has it right, pointing to the Wiki article. (10 points for her!)
That's why when you order wine at a restaurant -- even the newest bottles -- you should always smell the cork, and taste a small amount in the glass (the waiter or somolier should pour it for you). You aren't playing wine connoseiur/wine judge -- all you are finding out is if the wine is corked, or not. If you smell "wet dog" or "musty basement", the somolier will be more than happy to take it back immediately and get you a another (good) bottle of the same wine.
A good somolier will actually be embarassed for the restaurant that a poorly kept bottle of wine was in his cellar. But, it *does* happen.
,
2007-03-23 09:26:01 · answer #1 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
The most true definition does not relate to air entering the cork. It involves a chemical reaction between the chemicals used to clean the corks (or bottles or barrels) and the wine. The wine reacts badly to it and it ruins the wine - it can be described as a wet newspaper smell or a musty smell. I won't get into the chemistry of TCA and chlorine and all that stuff. If you are interested, the wikipedia article probably covers it.
Smelling the cork doesn't do too much. Most corks smell musty, especially on aged wine. A better test is to pour a small glass and allow it to 'decant' or breathe for awhile. Try it at 10 minutes and then again every 10 minutes. If the musty smell doesn't begin to dissipate, bring the wine back to where you purchased it. If it does, then chances are that you just have a dry or earthy wine that needed to breathe.
Aeration of the wine (wine leaking in through the cork) is something COMPLETELY different. Yes, this will spoil the wine, but it's not the true definition of 'corked'. On this, you look for bleed through (the top of the cork has wine on it) and a vinegary smell.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-23 10:12:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I purely opened a bottle of wine Yukon Commemorative version 1942-1992 fiftieth Anniversary Alaska Hwy made 1989 Niersteiner Kabinett , cork dried out yet grew to become into properly sealed in the previous opened, tastes okay to me, will drink small quantity and spot what happens, assist you to comprehend (i wish)
2016-10-20 07:30:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the cork reacts with the wine, and makes it off.
2007-03-23 09:13:55 · answer #4 · answered by SAR13 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It means during opening a piece of cork has fell off in the bottle.
2007-03-23 10:08:48 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanette 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The cork has failed, let in air & wine has been oxydised, turning it sour. Vinegar, in fact.
2007-03-23 11:03:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
It means that the cork has failed to do it's job, and oxygen has got into the bottle, ruining it's contents
2007-03-23 09:12:23 · answer #7 · answered by Dogsbody 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I have no idea. A "corking fee" is what you pay to the restaurant when you bring your own bottle. It's usually about 15 bucks...
2007-03-23 09:13:19 · answer #8 · answered by christopher s 5 · 0⤊ 8⤋
Here you go - this will explain it better than I can!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corked
2007-03-23 09:14:48 · answer #9 · answered by Pardus 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
when the bottle has been inexpertly opened and the cork has been broken.
2007-03-23 09:18:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋