How to
Assess the
Condition
of Your
Wines

Excellent

Wine is still in original wooden case, or shows no sign of evaporation and the foil around the top of the bottle is smooth without any wrinkles. There is no sign of leakage, and no stains on the label.

Good

Wine shows little to no sign of evaporation and the foil around the top of the bottle is mostly smooth with few wrinkles. There is no sign of leakage, and no major stains on the label.

Fair

Wine shows a little evaporation and is over 10 years old. The foil around the top of the bottle is mostly smooth with few wrinkles. There is no sign of leakage, and no more than slight stains on the label.

Poor

Wine shows a little evaporation and is less than 10 years old or there is greater evaporation, and the wine is over 10 years old. The foil around the top of the bottle has a few wrinkles. There may be signs of leakage, and slight stains on the label.

Bad

Wine shows an inch or more of evaporation and is less than 10 years old or there is greater evaporation, and the wine is over 10 years old. The foil around the top of the bottle is loose and pulled up from the bottle. There may be signs of leakage, and or stains on the label.