It’s happened to every wine lover: you pick up a cherished bottle, and notice a thin line of wine seeping between cork and glass.
This is what we call “leakage”, or colatura in Italian.
But what does it really mean? And more importantly: should you throw the bottle away?
What causes wine leakage?
Leakage occurs when the cork dries out and shrinks slightly, allowing air to enter and a small amount of wine to escape.
Causes include:
• storage in a too-dry environment
• a porous or defective cork
• temperature fluctuations or movement during transport
You’ll usually see a red ring on the neck, or a slightly stained cork.
Is the wine ruined? Not always.
The answer: it depends.
Leakage doesn’t always mean spoilage. But it’s a warning sign. Our advice:
• Don’t wait — open it as soon as possible
• Have a backup bottle ready
• And above all: taste with curiosity
Sometimes, these bottles offer surprising, complex, unforgettable experiences.
That one Pinot Noir 2018… Wow.
It happened to me recently with a 2018 Pinot Noir. Slight leakage, cork visibly dry. I expected the worst.
But instead… wow.
The wine had evolved beautifully. Deeper color, earthy notes, leather, dried flowers, a touch of volatile acidity that brought life, not flaw. Unexpected, but completely charming.
It wasn’t how I remembered it. It was different — maybe even better.
What to take away?
Not every leaking bottle is a lost cause.
Some hide unexpected stories inside.
At Enoteca Hortis, we don’t promise perfection — but we promise truth, curiosity, and passion. Even when the cork has a story to tell.
