What's that in my wine?

It is a common misconception that sediment forming on wine corks or in the bottom of the bottle mean that a given wine has gone bad. In fact, there are several possible explanations for this build up.

Some winemakers simply don't filter their wines as completely as others. Often, these winemakers will say they leave some residual sediment to enhance the flavor of the wine after bottling.

Another possible reason for the build up is more common in highly-acidic wines and grapes. Wine made from Concord grapes, for example, often develop tartrate crystals, which build up over time and look a bit like sand. These crystals are not harmful, but may change the taste of wine over time.

The best way to deal with sediment is to decant your wine before serving. By decanting, the sediment will settle to the bottom and not in your glass.