Crap wine - advice please

Jev/N

Just looking for some advice on this...

Bought a bottle of wine last Thursday evening from a reputable wine seller. Looked like a decent Valpolicella and was actually reduced €15 to €12, so I went for it. I poured out just enough for 2 glasses into a carafe and left it for awhile.

When we sat down to drink it, I took a sip and instantly thought it was disgusting - it lacked flavour, was very watery and had more than a subtle hint of vinegar in terms of smell! I've never had the experience of a corked wine but AFAIK this isn't it, especially seen as the cork was a rubber one?

So now, a few days later, I'm wondering is there any chance I could bring it back or will I look like a complete fool bringing back a wine that was opened 4 days ago?? Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to get back to the shop since I bought it and even if I did get it back before now, what do I say?

MattKane

Sounds like it's corked, which can happen with rubber corks also. Certainly take it back. Even if it isn't corked, they should give you credit if they're a half reasonable/decent business.

the beer revolu

absolutely, bring it back!!
Doesn't sound corked to me but is certainly "off" somehow.
If it's a decent shop they won't question it.

If it is corked it will have a really distinctive, unpleasant, musty smell.

r0nanf

Jev/N wrote: »

....more than a subtle hint of vinegar in terms of smell! I've never had the experience of a corked wine but AFAIK this isn't it, especially seen as the cork was a rubber one?

There's always a lot of confusion re what is "corked" wine. "Corked" wine will give a distinct musty aroma, also makes the wine taste a little like wet cardboard. That's the result of an infection of TCA, a compound released by mould which attacks the bark of the cork tree. Won't happen with synthetic corks or screwcaps. There are other problems with non-cork stoppers though: reduction, oxidation, light striking, scalping.

A "subtle hint of vinegar" would suggest that the wine is oxidized, i.e. air has penetrated the bottle. This happens with synthetic corks over time, they're really only suitable for keeping wines fresh for 18 months approx. What vintage was the wine?

Irrespective I'd bring it back, and I wouldn't accept any excuses. The retailer can exchange the bottle back with their supplier.

kmick

As long as you have receipt and 3/4 of a bottle of wine bring it back. If its a decent wne shop they will replace with something else. If it is not corked they dont have any obligation to replace it. Most will not taste it tho.

MattKane

Yeah, more likely to be oxidised. You'll really shouldn't have any problems returning it.

Jev/N

Thanks for all the replies, you've been a great help!

r0nanf, the wine was of a 2006 vintage so it seems you may be right about the synthetic cork!

I'll pop back tomorrow afternoon with it as I still have the receipt here also. I may be a bit late returning it but hopefully it shouldn't make too much of a difference!

Mimikyu

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Baggio

yes nothing worse than a corked bottle when your really looking forward to some!

Had one the other night i bought off the sunday times wineclub site, great chianti riserve 2005 ive kept for over a year on the rack,,,well as sooon as i tried to smell the aroma in the glass, i knew i was in trouble,,,yuk and what a shame!,,first bad bottle i have from them, i mailed them a nice mail explaining what was what and in fairness to them - they have 2 bottles on the way to me,...

Actually the wines their sending were of my own choice - South African red called Winery Heights a top notch producer, its a bordeaux style blend of cabernet sauv and franc and also merlot, had only 1 bottle before...wow!!..my goodness it was deffinately the best wine i had tasted for years! - along with the montefalco i had from italy
So fair play to them their sending me 2 great wines that would im sure if here be priced at E18 and they cost only £7.99 each on their site,,,terrific value for sure

so after all my wind bagging talking - yeah! take it back they will/should replace it for sure, on a side note...not many people *including myself!* realise that overall 1 in every 12 bottles produced world wide is bad/corked etc

best of luck OP with the wine!...ciao''....Baggio....

Jev/N

Captain Morgan wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Will do! Didn't get over there today but definitely going tomorrow!

Jev/N

Returned the wine earlier, no problems with the owner at all. The guy was very professional and offered me either the same one again or a different one, definitely will buy there again!

Davidth88

Nice one OP.

Let us know who it was, after all you got good after sales service from them !

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