There’s nothing quite like enjoying a glass of wine after a long day. A stale or bad-tasting wine, however, can ruin the entire experience. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell if a wine has gone bad.

Factors like oxidation, heat exposure, age, and the cork can all affect the taste of a wine.

Smell Test

One of the easiest ways to tell if wine has gone bad is to give it a quick sniff. If the wine smells like vinegar or spoiled fruit, it has likely gone bad.

Some types of wine, like Riesling and Pinot Noir, may develop a petrol-like smell over time which is a sign of aging but not necessarily spoilage.

Taste Test

Of course, the most definitive way to tell if wine has gone bad is to taste it. If the wine tastes sour or has a bitterness that wasn’t present before, it’s likely gone bad.

Additionally, wines that have turned bad may have a strange and unpleasant aftertaste.

Visual Clues

While a wine’s appearance isn’t always a sure sign that it’s gone bad, there are some indicators to look for. For example, if a red wine has brown or brick-red coloring, it may have oxidized and gone bad.

Additionally, a wine that has a milky appearance, even if only slightly, may have fermentation issues and should be avoided.

Bubbles

Some wines, like Champagne and Prosecco, are supposed to have bubbles. If a bubbly wine doesn’t produce any bubbles, it’s possible that it’s gone bad.

This could be due to a problem with the cork, or because the wine was stored improperly and has lost its carbonation.

Cork Issues

The cork plays an important role in preserving the flavor of wine and keeping it fresh. If the cork is dented or cracked, or if it’s pushed up out of the bottle, it’s a sign that air has been able to get into the bottle and spoil the wine.

Additionally, if the cork has a musty smell, it’s a sign that the wine has been contaminated with mold.

Sediment

Some types of wine, like reds and vintage ports, may have sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This is a normal occurrence and doesn’t necessarily mean the wine has gone bad.

However, if the sediment is accompanied by a strange odor or off taste, it’s a sign that the wine has gone bad.

Age

Aging can be good for some wines, but not all. Over time, wines can start to lose their flavor and become stale. If you have an older bottle of wine and are unsure if it’s still good, it’s a good idea to give it a sniff to see if it smells off.

Storage

How wine is stored can also play a big role in whether it goes bad or not. Wine should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from sources of heat and light.

If wine is exposed to too much heat or light, or if it’s left sitting out for too long, it can spoil.

Conclusion

Knowing if wine has gone bad can take a bit of practice, but it’s important to be able to identify spoiled wine before drinking it.

Always give wine a sniff and a taste before consuming, and look out for visual clues like sediment, bubbles, and cork issues. By being cautious, you can avoid drinking a bad-tasting or even potentially harmful wine.