top of page
wkywinetrail

How to revive a wine that has bottle sickness


 illustration of a green wine bottle with bottle shock aka bottle sickness

Have you ever heard of something called "bottle shock"? This is a term used in the wine industry to describe a temporary condition that can affect wine after it's been bottled or transported. Essentially, it's the result of the wine being subjected to changes in temperature, movement, and exposure to oxygen during the bottling process.


When wine experiences bottle shock, it can temporarily lose some of its aromatic and flavor characteristics. It's like the wine needs a bit of time to readjust to its new environment, much like settling into a new home.


Now, before you start panicking and thinking your precious wine has gone bad, fear not! Bottle shock is usually temporary. Most wines will recover from it with a bit of time. This recovery period can vary from a few days to a week or longer, depending on the wine.


If you encounter a wine that seems closed off or muted after opening, you can try decanting it or allowing it to breathe in the glass for a while. Sometimes, a little exposure to oxygen can help the wine "wake up" and reveal its true flavors.


In the end, bottle shock is just another quirky aspect of the wine world. It's a reminder that wine, like all good things in life, sometimes need a bit of time and patience to show its true greatness.

Comments


bottom of page