Topic: Corked Wine

A detailed lecture on champagne science explains that corks typically only last 15 years before the wine goes flat. The term "RD" (Recently Disgorged) refers to vintage champagnes that were kept in the cellar longer before being corked, extending their shelf life. The hosts provide these tips following a producer's anecdote about a flat bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon.

A 1998 Pagodes de Cos wine served at a high-end restaurant was found to be severely "corked," leading to a discussion on the chemical TPA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole). The hosts explain that this contamination can come from rotting corks or even evaporation from certain paints used in wineries. A historical instance involving BV Private Reserve in the late 1990s is cited as an example of widespread batch contamination.