Condition of bottles

At SoDivin, we systematically document three visible criteria: the wine level in the bottle, the condition of the label and the condition of the capsule.
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Bottle level

Bottle level
Label of a Petrus available at Sodivin

Label condition
Capsule condition taken into account in the assessment of bottle condition

Capsule condition

How to interpret the condition of a bottle based on its age?

It is normal for the condition of bottles to evolve over time in the cellar: a 10-year-old bottle does not have the same appearance as a 60-year-old wine bottle. As cork is not completely airtight, the wine level decreases slowly. Two parameters can accelerate this phenomenon: a cellar that is too warm and/or a cork that is more porous than average.

If there is no additional information on a wine product sheet, consider that the condition is normal given its age.

Frequently asked questions about the condition of bottles

Not necessarily. For old vintages, a slight drop in level is normal. When we consider a level to be unusually low, we clearly indicate this in the wine's description.

This level is an essential indicator of preservation, as it provides information about the natural evaporation of the liquid through the cork over time.
A well-preserved wine presents a level consistent with its age.

Learn more about bottle levels.

A marked or stained label is often a sign of storage in a humid cellar, an ideal condition for preserving wine over several decades.

Capsules may unfortunately have been more or less damaged during handling. This generally has no impact on the quality of the wine. However, a capsule whose top (the part covering the cork) is pierced increases the risk of evaporation or even leakage.
See the classification of capsule conditions

Normal condition according to the age of the bottle

  • Bordeaux: Fill level at base of neck or better

  • Burgundy: Fill level at approximately 2 cm below cork or better

  • Label: In good condition

  • Bordeaux: Fill level slightly below base of neck or better

  • Burgundy: Fill level at approximately 3 cm below cork or better

  • Label: In good condition or slightly marked by time

  • Bordeaux: Fill level in high shoulder or better

  • Burgundy: Fill level at approximately 4 cm below cork or better

  • Label: In good condition or marked by time but legible

  • Bordeaux: Fill level between high and mid shoulder or better

  • Burgundy: Fill level at approximately 5 to 6 cm below cork or better

  • Label: In good condition or heavily marked by time but legible

Information on the condition of the labels.

The labels of old bottles are generally marked by the years spent in the cellar. Good hygrometry, a guarantee of good wine preservation, is often fatal to the label.

Should we be concerned? Quite the contrary. A label in perfect condition could suggest that the bottle has been stored in a cellar that is too dry, and therefore detrimental to the wine.

Two exceptions however: bottles whose labels have been protected by their owner and those which have been re-labelled at the château. Labels with slight defects (small tears and traces of humidity) are considered good. The others are defined as follows:

  • Slightly damaged: stains, tears, slight losses, traces of humidity but which do not hinder readability.
  • Damaged: stained and/or torn and/or traces of humidity. Sometimes more difficult to read.
  • Very damaged: very stained and/or torn and/or heavy traces of humidity. Difficult to read.

Information on the condition of the capsules.

Capsules may unfortunately have been more or less damaged during handling. This generally has no impact on the quality of the wine. However, a capsule whose top (part covering the cork) is pierced increases the risk of evaporation or even leakage.

Bottles with a worn or damaged capsule are defined as follows:

  • Slightly damaged capsule: the top of the capsule shows signs of wear and/or a tear which does not affect the bottle's seal in any way
  • Damaged capsule: the top of the capsule is pierced