Wine Faults

Question 1

What is a wine fault?

Answer 1

A defect caused by improper handling, storage, or gross production flaws that make a wine undrinkable.

Question 2

Name common wine faults.

Answer 2

1. cork taint
2. vinegar taint
3. heat damage
4. high level of brettanomyces

Question 3

What is TCA? Describe its impact.

Answer 3

A wine flaw that results from mold feeding off of chlorine which is used to bleach corks and clean wineries or wine-making equipment.

It imparts a musty/wet cardboard flavor and aroma to wine.

Question 4

What is vinegar taint? Describe its origins.

Answer 4

A wine flaw that occurs when acetic bacteria in the air contaminates exposed wine and transforms ethanol (ethyl alcohol) into acetic acid.

• Comes from dirty bottles, or
• Improper storage that compromise the cork (did not lay down > cork shrinkage > bacteria enters)