VinoLoverAn oxidised wine is the worst nightmare for any wine lover. Wines oxidise due to various factors, but what is certain is that their taste, appearance, aroma, texture and brilliance are considerably affected.
do you want to know when a wine is oxidised? Well, read on, because in the following lines we will tell you everything you need to know about this subject.
What is the definition of wine oxidation?
You should know that the oxidation process in wines will always start with an overexposure of the product to oxygen. This happens when the bottles have not been well sealed, the wine has already been uncorked, at least one day before, or has spent too much time in the glass.
All this will cause the oxygen to alter the various chemical components, such as polyphenols, and start to generate reactions in the wine. This will cause a change in nuances, flavours, colours and aromas that will make this delicious beverage an unappetising substance.
In short, oxidation can be defined as a process of early decomposition of the wine. It will cause undesirable changes in this product.
What are the stages of wine oxidation?
This process does not occur immediately, as many would think. It is divided into stages that progressively affect the wine. These are the following:
- The wine comes into contact with an immoderate amount of oxygen.
- When this happens, the oxygen progressively alters its chemical substances.
- The reaction causes a change in the taste of the wine.
- Then its smell is altered.
- Then its consistency.
- And finally, it takes on a brownish hue that becomes a strong indicator of decomposition.
This can vary according to the type of wine, but for the most part the oxidation process takes place in this way.
So, is oxygen harmful to wine?
This answer is somewhat contradictory, since oxygen itself is necessary for the maturation process of the substance. However, the way it is incorporated into the wine is done in a controlled manner through the use of cork.
It is a process that allows a greater accentuation of flavours and aromas. However, when oxygen enters directly into the wine, this succession takes place in a drastic way and will cause premature oxidation of the wine.
How can wine oxidation be prevented?
Simple, through an efficient and correct bottling process. What do we mean by this? Simple, at the time of bottling the wine, the winery or factory in charge must ensure that the product is sealed correctly with the use of the cork.
A wrong positioning of the cork can completely compromise the contents of the bottle. However, if it is placed with too much pressure, the product will not be able to continue its maturation process in the bottle either.
It all depends on how the company does its job from the start. However, care must also be taken with the subsequent handling of the bottle. And, bear in mind that, once the bottle is uncorked, the entire contents should be consumed as soon as possible.
What kind of wines are more vulnerable to oxidation?
this is a very important question! The wines that tend to oxidise the most are those that are considered to be “cellared”, or rather, those that are stored for a long period of time.
Generally, they tend to be crianza, reserva or gran reserva wines. Both in their maturation process and after their distribution, they are forced to remain for months or even years in the bottle.
However, young wines can also be damaged by premature or severe oxidation of their contents. Since, as we mentioned in previous lines, everything will depend on the state of the cork and the amount of oxygen to which they are exposed, and these are no exception!
How can you determine when a wine is oxidised?
Certainly, there are many clues that we can follow to know if a wine is oxidised or not. The most common ones that can be perceived with the naked eye are the ones we will mention below:
Assess the state of the cork
The cork is mainly responsible for regulating the entry of oxygen into the bottle. Before buying a wine, you should evaluate the state of the cork, as it should be perfectly embedded and with a slight stain of wine on its lower edge.
If you notice that the cork is sticking out more than normal, it is a strong indication that something may be wrong with the product, so don’t buy that bottle!
Another indicator will be if the cork is soaked completely or almost completely with wine, this should not happen under any circumstances. And, if it does, it means that the cork did not insulate the contents sufficiently to prevent leakage.
The contents are below the shoulders of the bottle
A normal wine should always be at or slightly above the shoulders of the bottle
However, when the wine is below this level, it means that it has been in contact with the wrong amount of oxygen, which has led to evaporation of the substance. You should watch out for this before buying a bottle of wine!
The wine has a marked or partial brown colour
We all know that wines, regardless of type or colour, should have a bright and lively hue. However, wines in the process of oxidation lose this vitality in their pigment, which turns the substance into a dull and slightly brownish hue.
On the other hand, those that are already fully oxidised will look cloudy or completely brown. It will be very easy to identify this once it is served in the glass. Therefore, observing the wine before drinking it will be vital.
It will lose its delicious fruity aroma
Ok, first you should know that not all wines have a floral, fruity or various scents, so you should not discard them at the first time
Oxidised wines, on the other hand, will always have a totally unpleasant smell. They will always tend to smell of vinegar, wet dog, mould, wet newspaper and other smells that will not be at all appetising
Lack of flavour when tasting
It is not normal for a wine to have no taste at all. Therefore, if when you take a small sip you do not perceive any taste at all, leave the glass immediately! Because the wine is spoiled.
Certainly, there are many things that can determine that a wine is not in good condition or is oxidised. When making an assessment, take these clues into account and you will get an accurate answer
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
