Heat Damage Signs in Wine and What It Means for Value

Quick Answer

Heat is the #1 enemy of wine. 'Cooked' wine loses its fresh fruit flavors and tastes flat or stewed. We inspect every bottle for these signs.

• Pushed Corks: The cork protrudes from the bottle lip.
• Seepage: Sticky residue or wine trails on the neck/label.
• Color: White wines turning brown; Red wines turning brick-orange prematurely.
• Spinning Capsule: Not reliable on its own, but tight/stuck capsules can indicate expansion.

Visible Signs of Heat Damage

When wine gets hot, the liquid expands. This pressure pushes the cork out or forces liquid past the cork.

• raised Cork: Run your thumb over the top. It should be flush or slightly depressed. If it's a 'mushroom' bump, it's pushed.
• Stained Label: Wine stains running down from the foil indicate a past leak.
• Corroded Foil: Long-term seepage eats away at the capsule metal.

Impact on Value

Heat damage is usually fatal to value.

• Signs of seepage = 50-80% value reduction or rejection.
• Pushed cork = Rejection (too high risk).
• Minor signs (slightly raised cork) = Risk discount.
• We cannot sell compromised bottles as 'perfect', so we buy them at a steep discount or pass entirely.

The Invisible Risk

Sometimes wine gets hot but doesn't leak. This is why provenance (storage history) is so important. If you have temperature records, it proves the wine is safe despite minor cosmetic issues.

Common Mistakes

Assuming a bottle is fine because it's sealed.

• Leaving wine in a car for 'just an hour' (can reach 100°F+, cooking it instantly).
• Storing racks near the kitchen stove or fridge exhaust.
• Ignoring a broken AC unit for weeks.

What to Do Next

Check your collection.

• Inspect high-value bottles for seepage.
• Note any issues in your inventory list.
• Separate damaged bottles from pristine ones.
• Submit honest photos—we respect transparency.