The Auswine Forum

over the past decade I have begun to notice that all the red wines I've opened that are, of various levels, corked, the actual cork is not red, but pale pink.

Anyone else noticed this?

Rory

So when a wine is TCA affected, you notice the cork is more pink coloured, rather than the expected deeper red?

Interesting observation, can't say I've noticed it but will keep an eye out. Surely the stain colour would depend more on the wine itself than the cork, although perhaps lower grade corks stain differently?

Interesting indeed, can't say that I have noticed it either. I agree that the colour of the wine and time in the cellar would be the biggest reason for darkly stained corks.

Mahmoud.

Yes, have noticed it from young wines to old wines out of my cellar. When I have opened another wine of exactly the same age as a replacement, the better cork is a different hue of red.

I don't think I've seen anything that suggested it..but since you've mentioned it I'm sure we will all look out for it.

There was another thread on a different forum about premoxed White Burgundy and mold on the cork..(Mold = not premoxed). Sounds like that has held pretty firm so far...