How Can You Tell If a Wine is Too Oxidized?

What is Wine Oxidation

Wine becomes oxidized when exposed to oxygen. Some oxygen exposure is inevitable and a natural part of the aging process. However, wine that has been exposed to too much oxygen is said to have become oxidized.

What Causes Wine Oxidation?

Wine oxidation is caused by a variety of factors including:

• Excessive Heat Exposure

• Excessive Light Exposure

• Humidity

Heat

Prolonged exposure to heat beyond a wine’s optimal storage temperature will cause a wine to become oxidized. Long story short, heat expedites the aging rate of wine. For example, every 18°F increase in temperature doubles the aging rate of wine. This is why it is so important to ensure you are storing your wine at the right temperature. Read:

• How To Store Red Wine

• How To Store White Wine

• How To Store Champagne

Light

Excessive exposure to too much light can cause a wine to become Lightstruck. Lightstruck wines lose their taste and aroma. This is why it is important to ensure your wine is stored in a dark place. White and sparkling wines are more likely to be affected than reds.

Humidity

Humidity is critical to wine storage. No less than 50% humidity is recommended with 65-70% being most ideal. Anything above 80% will likely cause the formation of mold around the cork.

How Can You Tell If A Wine Has Become Oxidized?

Simply put, it will taste flat. The color will also change with both red and white wines darkening. Red wines will appear more brown while white wines will appear more amber.

FAQ

• Are certain wines more susceptible than others to becoming oxidized? Yes. White wines are more likely to become oxidized than red wines due to the fact that they have higher levels of tannins.