Put a Cork in Corked Wine

If you drink enough wine, you are bound to open a corked bottle.  Regardless of the data on how often it occurs (or doesn't occur), there are a few things to keep in mind when you stiff out a corked bottle.  First, how do I know if my wine is corked?  Does it smell and/or taste like wet cardboard?  Are you sitting there wondering is this how its supposed to taste?  If you find yourself asking these questions, then you might have a corked bottle.  It's one of the most depressing experiences (maybe that's a slightly over-dramatized statement).

Here a few suggestions when you open a corked bottle:

 

(1) Save the evidence. Most wineries want proof that the wine is in fact corked.  It makes no sense to dump the bottle when you spent good money on a wine; but don't drink anymore of it hoping that it gets better.

(2) Contact the wine shop, winery owner, winemaker, tasting room manager or sales manager. Inform them that you purchased a corked bottle. Provide them with information on when and how you purchased the bottle (e.g. traveled to the tasting room, purchased the wine online or in-store).

(3) Discuss options for returning the bottle. In some cases, you may have visited a winery in California's Central Coast during a vacation, so it may not be feasible for you to immediately return the bottle. In this case, work with the winery to get your money's worth for the corked bottle. If your purchased a corked bottle from a wine store, return the bottle to that store and try to obtain another bottle in exchange.

As a consumer, you are entitled to receive a product of superior quality. It is incumbent upon the winery to offer its customers the best product and customer service possible.  It doesn't matter how much you spend on a bottle of wine or whether you were a one-time customer or a wine club member.  More importantly, don't be afraid to tell a winery or wine shop that you purchased a cork bottle.

Then again, you could find yourself in the unfortunate position of purchasing a "bad wine."  To avoid this disappointing situation, do your best to research the wine you are about to purchase; ask friends if they purchased or tasted the wine; contact your local wine store for recommendations; or better yet, visit the winery and taste the wine(s) for yourself.

I would encourage wine drinkers to consider purchasing screw cap enclosed wines to experience the difference between a cork and screw cap bottle (if you think a difference is noticeable).  I happen to be a fan of several Central Coast wineries that rely solely on screw cap enclosures.   

What are your experiences and recommendations?