Comments on: Wine Wisdoms #36: Broken Corks? Don’t Stress

By: Daniel Fogarty

Daniel Fogarty — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:46:53 +0000

@ Bob M. As a maker of Dandelion wine, I can tell you it just comes down to the recipe your grandfather used. The one that I have used the most often, calls for honey. With time (20+ years), it becomes more mead-like and clear. The only batch that didn’t meet my standards was still well-received by others and made a great summer drink mixed with vodka and soda. Good luck!

By: Erika S.

Erika S. — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:55:58 +0000

@Chuck It could be either of those problems but I think the best way to know is to open the wine and smell it. If it smells bad, it most likely is. It’s possible for the cork to have an issue and not the wine and it’s also possible for the cork to infect the whole bottle. The only way to know for sure, is to give it a try!

@Bob Mazza I would be worried about that bottle because we’re talking about decades of age. Most wine cannot age that long and retain aromatics and flavors, only wines of top quality. The best way to know is to open it and find out!

@Theresa Same as I told Chuck and Bob, I would open the wine and trust your own judgment. It could be damaged or it could be healthy.

By: Theresa Skwarek

Theresa Skwarek — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:56:23 +0000

Hi – Thanks for the response to the dicolored cork question. I meant the bottom portion of the cork, a little bit up the sides-but not half way up.

By: Bob Mazza

Bob Mazza — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:43:16 +0000

My Grandfather made Dandelion wine and I have two bottles from 1942 sealed with bottle caps.The wine looks clear do you think it might still be good.

Thanks

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:51:22 +0000

Not sure if Theresa meant just the bottom of the cork being discolored or maybe half way up the cork? I had some Italian wine that seemed to have a small seppage problem. The cork was not discolored all the way up but a couple bottles were pretty close. This sort of meant to be that either the corks dried out (not enough humidty or the bottles were stored uprigth for some time) or they were “second class” corks. Your thoughts?

Thanks, Chuck

By: Erika S.

Erika S. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:13:28 +0000

Hi Theresa, thanks for the comment. As long as the wine smells OK, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with it.

By: Theresa Skwarek

Theresa Skwarek — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:20:53 +0000

If the cork has been discolored does that mean the wine is automatically bad – even if it smells ok?

Thanks