Corked wine: what happened & how we’ve got you covered 🍷

We’ve all been there—you open a bottle you’ve been saving for the perfect occasion, pour a glass, take a sip, and… oh no, it’s corked. That unmistakable musty aroma, the dull, flat flavors—definitely not what you were expecting. We get it. It’s disappointing. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

How rare is it, really?

We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards, and cork issues at Château Canon Chaigneau are exceptionally rare. In fact, less than 1% of our bottles ever encounter cork taint—a figure well below industry averages. Cases where multiple bottles from the same shipment are affected? Practically unheard of. Sometimes, older vintages might simply not align with your personal taste preferences—mature wines can express themselves in unique ways that aren’t always to everyone’s liking.

We carefully select corks from different trusted suppliers and implement meticulous quality checks to prevent these rare flaws. Every cork we use is chosen with precision, ensuring it protects the wine without interfering with its character. But as wine is a natural product, sometimes—even with the best practices—nature can throw an unexpected curveball.

So, what causes a wine to be corked?

A “corked” wine is not about bits of cork floating in your glass. It’s actually a flaw caused by a compound called TCA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole), which can sometimes develop in natural cork. Even with the most rigorous quality control, TCA can sneak through. It’s rare, but it happens.

At Château Canon Chaigneau, we take great care in selecting corks from multiple trusted suppliers to minimize this risk. We work only with partners who share our commitment to quality, and our meticulous checks ensure that every cork used has been thoroughly inspected. Still, wine is a living product, and occasionally, despite our best efforts, nature throws us a curveball.

If it happens to you—don’t worry.

While it’s extremely rare with our wines, if you do encounter a corked bottle, we’ll make it right. Just let us know, and we’ll replace the bottle—no questions asked.

And if you opened an older vintage and feel it’s just not to your taste (sometimes mature wines evolve in unexpected ways), we’re happy to recommend a more recent vintage that might hit the right note for you.

Why we care so much.

Wine is about experience—about sharing, savoring, and creating memories. We want every glass of Château Canon Chaigneau to reflect the hard work, passion, and tradition behind it.

That’s why cork issues, though incredibly rare for us, are something we take seriously. We’re not just here to sell wine—we’re here to make sure you love it.

So if you ever run into a corked bottle, think of it as a rare glitch in an otherwise flawless experience. And remember, we’re always here to make it right. 🍇✨