wine tips
should you smell the wine cork?
Some restaurants make it a practice to kindly hand you the wine cork after opening a bottle at the table. But what are you supposed to do with it? Is there real value here or was it given to you out of courtesy?
The short answer is yes. Examining the wine cork could help you determine if it’s worth keeping the bottle or if to return it.
First, take a look at the cork. If it’s branded, check to see if it’s from the correct winemaker and vintage. It’s most likely correct, but spotting a fake bottle is one of the reasons this tradition started.
Second, lightly smell the bottom of the cork. What you are looking for is the presence of a damp or musty smell. Another analogy might be the smell of wet cardboard or newspapers. If this is noticeable, it’s known as cork taint where the cork contains a contaminant called trichloroanisole (or TCA). Technically this happens when plant phenols, chlorine and mold interact. It’s most common in natural corks but typically only a small percentage (2-3%) of wine is affected.
Most cork taint simply suppresses the aromas and flavors of the wine. But in some cases, the wine can offer a strong scent and remind you of being in a basement filled with wet laundry. The good news is cork taint is mostly concentrated in the cork, so the wine may not be affected as much as you think. However, as wine aerates, the taste may become more prominent.
While not an exact science, it’s worth keeping an eye on with your next bottle.