If you look at the best supermodels…you'll notice that they all have a least one type of imperfection. Whether it’s Cindy Crawford’s mole, or Lauren Hutton’s gap in her teeth, the flaws make the models unique and likeable. The same goes for wine. And yes, the best and most expensive bottles all have issues.
Wines have flaws, people have flaws. Some are offensive, while others are acceptable, and even a small few can actually be endearing. Below are some common faults to look for and the reason they arise. With the exception of corked wine, few retail stores will grant refunds for such disappointments. Identify what faults a wine may, why they happen and you may become more intrigued with wine.
To help readers identify specific wine faults, we’ve compared each one to a corresponding celebrity to demonstrate that wines are a lot like people.
At times, some celebrities are just not ok.. Think Pee-Wee
Herman in a dark, movie theater, late at night. The same can be said of corked wine (TCA), which is never ok The lack of fruit
mixed with aromas of wet newspaper are caused when fungal spores in natural
wine corks, are attacked by the chlorine compounds used to bleach these closures for
aesthetic appeal. Drinking corked wine is like pretending it's ok to whip out your private parts in public--it's not cool.
Al Pacino can come off a little aggressive, but a lot of people like that. When barrels aren’t topped during their second fermentation, volatile acidity can arise in the form of a sharp, vinegar-like aroma. Some of the best red Burgundy’s and Italian reds have this issue. Like Pacino, you might find the fault to be too sharp, or you might dig the slightly aggressive attribute.
Paris Hilton is arguably over-the-hill, but to some, she’s still hot. She was in her prime, before the partying. Much like Hilton, some wines are past their prime, because they’re oxidized. Because of too much exposure to air, wine can resemble that of a once-fresh apple that’s been cut open and left out to turn brown. Perhaps the winemaker didn’t add enough sulfur dioxide? Perhaps the bottle was stored at too high of a temperature? Oxidation can be endearing in Madeiras, Sherries and some Champagne, but that depends on who you talk to.
Some feel that Nicky Wood, former Australian pro surfer popular in the 80s, burned out before he reached his prime. He was a star for a second, but the limelight could have ruined his career, as he never met the expectations of his admirers. The same is true with wines that have been bottled prematurely. Most reds go through a secondary fermentation, and it’s important that the process is completed before bottling, but some producers get too excited, too soon. The end result is an unstable beverage that comes across as fizzy and effervescent. However, in some cases, the slightly sprightly nature can be lively and enjoyable. Take the 2005 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir from Napa for example.
Miley Cyrus may or may not have went too far during her performance at the 2013 MTV music awards. Sure, twerking is cool, but the way she had her tongue out was a little raunchy to some. The way she touched her private partsand slapped that women’s butt was real dirty. A little dirt is a good thing, but too much can be weird and offensive. In wine, dirty aromas of dead animal and band-aid, are caused by brettanomyces. This flaws arises when winemakers don’t clean their barrels and facilities well enough. In large doses, these aromas can make for a bad tasting experience. However, when subtle nuances of a farmyard climb out of a glass of Chambertin, the taster is likely to witness bliss.
Some of the best wines in the world have flaws, but uniqueness trumps homogeneity. After all, people are likeable for their faults.
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