It was my 20th wedding anniversary. I pulled the cork on a 1996 Salon Champagne I’d been saving for a decade. The pop was weak, and the smell was unmistakable: wet dog and damp basement. Cork taint (TCA). I poured $2,000 down the drain. The next day, I angrily called my broker, only to be told, “That’s not an accident; that’s nature.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Inherent Vice” Exclusion: This is the insurance term for a hidden defect that causes destruction from within. Cork taint is the textbook definition of inherent vice, and it is almost never covered.
- Oxidization is also Excluded: If a bottle turns to vinegar over 30 years because the seal failed slowly, that is “gradual deterioration.” No coverage.
- Merchant Guarantees > Insurance: Your recourse here is not your insurer; it is the merchant or auction house you bought it from.
- Exception for “Specific Perils”: You are only covered if the spoilage was caused by an external event (fire, power outage), not the cork failing on its own.
The “Why” (The Trap)
Insurance covers fortuity (accidents), not inevitability. Since natural cork is organic and has a known failure rate (roughly 3-5%), insurers view a corked bottle as a business risk of collecting, not an insurable event.
The clause to look for in your exclusions is “Inherent Vice,” “Latent Defect,” or “Gradual Deterioration.” If these words are in your policy, you aren’t getting paid for a corked bottle.
The Investigation (I Called Them)
I didn’t just accept the “no.” I dug into the specialty markets to see if anyone covers this.
The Specialist: La Garde (and similar niche programs)
I found some specialty programs for commercial collectors that might offer limited coverage for “contamination,” but for a private collector?
- My Analysis: Even high-end policies like Chubb and AIG exclude TCA (Trichloroanisole) specifically.
- The Verdict: Do not buy insurance expecting this to be covered.
The Retailer Policies
Some high-end retailers (like Berry Bros. & Rudd or total Wine Concierge) offer their own guarantees.
- My Analysis: This is a warranty, not insurance. If you buy from a reputable merchant, they will replace a corked bottle if you return the liquid in the bottle.
Comparison Table
| Risk Factor | Standard Home Policy | High-Value Policy (Chubb/AIG) | Merchant Warranty |
| Cork Taint (TCA) | Excluded (Inherent Vice) | Excluded (Inherent Vice) | Often Covered (Exchange) |
| Oxidation | Excluded (Gradual) | Excluded (Gradual) | Sometimes Covered (Time limit) |
| Premox (White Burg) | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded (Industry issue) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Since insurance won’t help, here is the recovery protocol for 2026.
- Do Not Pour It Out: This is the rookie mistake. You need the liquid as evidence.
- Re-Cork and Chill: Put the bad cork back in (or a stopper) and put the bottle in the fridge to slow chemical changes.
- Contact the Source Immediately:
- If bought recently: Call the retailer. Most reputable shops will exchange a corked bottle if returned within a reasonable window with the wine inside.
- If bought at auction: Check the “Conditions of Sale.” Some offer a limited warranty against cork taint for younger wines, but rarely for vintage bottles.
- Contact the Winery: For ultra-premium wines (Screaming Eagle, DRC), contact the winery directly. They often care deeply about their reputation and may offer a replacement or a tour/tasting as a goodwill gesture if you provide proof (photos of the bottle/cork code).
FAQ
What if the bottle was leaking when I bought it?
That is a visible defect. If you accepted it, you accepted the risk. Insurance won’t cover a pre-existing condition.
Is “Brett” (Brettanomyces) covered?
No. Like cork taint, Brett is a yeast spoilage issue considered an inherent vice of the winemaking process.
Can I buy a separate warranty for my cellar?
Not really. No actuary will price a risk that has a guaranteed 5% failure rate unless the premium is astronomical.