Last night, we were having spagetti, and so I opened our staple Bell' Agio Chianti (The "Wicker" bottle). I poured my first sip, swirled and got the wet cardboard odor. I opened another bottle of the same, and it too was tainted. I was hoping it would blow off (Alison didnt detect it at first) but it didnt.
I dont know if I bought these two bottles at the same time or not, but am wondering if cork taint can spread into other bottles?
Thanks,
Walter
More likely a bad batch of corks. Because the bottle is sealed, there should be no way for the elements in reaction, which produce TCA, to cross- contaminate bottles in a cellar. However, the TCA could have come from the barrel room, the bottling line, or from a bad batch(s) of cork. I've encountered two cases of the same wine with one bad bottle each, as well as, cases with more than one bad bottle. The contaminants can infect wine from about the pressing to the bottle, but it is more likely that the vineyard just got bad corks, and you got two. Several Bdx properties, and recently BV (plus another IIRC) in CA had severe problems. Don't recall just how it shook out, but some of the Bdx properties tore down their barrel rooms to rid themselves of taint (from treated wood, as it seems).
Hunt
In another online discussion someone said research has shown that TCA from an external source will not infect a wine through a clean cork. Might even be able to track down the source of the report if you are really interested.
I have however heard anecdotal evidence to the contrary. That is, I've heard stories about TCA-infected wood crates infecting wines in stoppered bottles. Myself, I would tend to believe the research!
In your case I'd guess it is sheer bad luck or a bad batch of corks, both of which certainly do happen.
Short and simple answer: No.
M.
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.