FAQ: flavor and deviations

General information about taste & wine faults

My wine tastes different than expected – is that normal?

Taste can vary slightly depending on grape variety, vintage and storage. Small differences are therefore completely normal and part of a wine's character.

What is a wine fault?

A wine fault occurs when the wine loses its typical taste due to external influences or chemical reactions – e.g. cork taint, oxidation.

How do I recognize a cork taint?

A corked wine smells musty, dull or like wet cardboard. The taste seems flat and unpleasant. The fault is caused by a substance called TCA (trichloroanisole), which can originate from natural cork.

Can a screw-cap wine also have cork taint?

No, classic cork taint only occurs with natural corks. Other wine faults such as oxidation or Brettanomyces ("horse sweat" smell) can, however, also occur in screw-cap wines.

My wine has slight crystals at the bottom – is that a fault?

No, these are harmless tartrate crystals that form during the natural maturation process. They do not affect the taste and are a sign of quality, not a fault.

What should I do if my wine has a fault?

Please contact our customer service with your order number and, if possible, a photo of the label. We will review the case and will of course arrange a replacement or refund.

Does every wine taste the same?

No, taste is influenced by many factors – grape variety, vintage, origin, winemaking and storage. This diversity is what makes the world of wine so appealing.