Precise packaging and corking efforts are taken to preserve wine. At times, due to exposure and contact with air for long periods of time, exposure to heat or a tainted cork can result in the wine becoming spoiled or tainted. In the case that the wine is ruined, you want to make sure you remove it from your collection and discard it completely. Many people wonder how to tell if their wine has gone bad and if it’s safe to drink. Luckily there are signs that wine has gone bad.
- Bubbles – Wine that tastes has bubbles or is similar to sparkling wine when it really isn’t is a sign that it has undergone a second fermentation process.
- Aroma – When you remove the cork and there is an overwhelming odor of vinegar, nail polish, wet cardboard, sour or burnt rubber, the wine has gone bad. Especially if the wine smells like a barnyard. The smell of barnyard animal’s results from a yeast referred to as brettanomyces. When odors are harsh and resemble any of the above, it is not recommended to even taste or consume the wine at all.
- Discoloration – Pour the wine into a glass and observe the color. If your white wine looks like a similar color to straw or has a brown or yellow tone, the wine is bad.
- Heat – One of the main signs of heat exposure is the cork being slightly removed. The wine spoils and is exposed to modernization and heat, causing the cork to subtly begin to pull away from the bottle.
Before you serve wine to yourself and guests, make sure you observe the cork, smell and color of the wine. If you notice any of the above signs, do not serve the wine to anyone. Certain precautions can lessen the risk of wine going bad. Make sure you store your wine properly and find a designated dark, cool place within your home for your collection. Keep these signs in mind every time you enjoy a bottle of wine and it will prevent you from serving rancid, spoiled or tainted wine to your guests.