Why do we sniff corks
04/25/2018
What do you do with the cork that is handed to you or placed in front of you when you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant?
Many people smell it with the thought that if the cork smells bad, the wine will be corked or oxidized. Studies have found wine where the cork smells off and the wine is fine, and where the cork is fine and the wine is bad – so you can’t trust the smell of the cork. That said, if the wine has gotten too hot in its past then the wine stain will have crept up the side of the cork and may be a sign that the wine will have turned from heat. Mostly the tradition of examining the cork was as evidence that you were getting the wine you ordered. The cork is put in upon bottling and is proof of the winery that bottled it. Labels can come off or be changed but the cork inside doesn’t change. This is why most wineries put their names on the cork. These days authenticity of wine is not really a problem so you can let the cork sit there and use your smell and taste on the wine in the glass to determine if all is well with your wine. Cheers!
Post By:
Allison VanArnam