Flawed Wine Policy

Flawed Wine Policy

We do our best to source wine from the best producers and distributors, and house wine ourselves at the proper temperatures, however there are some circumstances that are beyond our control. If you receive a wine in your monthly box that fits the below descriptions, we are happy to replace the bottle with the same label. If the same label wine is not available at the time any of these issues are brought to our attention, we will attempt to order the exact wine or offer another bottle of wine of equal value.

• Corked, i.e TCA - Trichloroanisole, Cork Taint
  • Corked wines will smell like wet dog, wet cardboard, or dirty socks. This is a flaw that occurs at the winery level and cannot be discovered until the wine is opened, smelled and/or tasted. Drinking or consuming a corked wine does not pose as a health risk.
  • A wine that has been infected with TCA can be smelled/detected at any stage of the ‘open life’ (the life of the wine after it has been opened) of the wine. As a result, if you are returning a bottle due to TCA we will inspect the wine to confirm before replacing.
• Secondary Fermentation (not related to sparkling wine)
  • Sometimes there is residual sugar in the wine after bottling that begins to re-ferment. Secondary fermentation will be indicated by tiny bubbles present in the wine when they are not supposed to be, it can also be indicated when a wine is opened and there is a slight hissing sound in wines that are again, not supposed to be bubbly.
  • Please note that some winemakers choose to utilize secondary fermentation as a style such as in Vinho Verde or Gruner Veltliner, as a result this is not considered a flaw in the wine.
  • We are happy to replace a wine if it has undergone secondary fermentation, or upon opening and discovering this wine is a little extra bubbly you decant and shake rigorously to essentially dissolve the bubbles.
  • Drinking or consuming a wine that has under gone secondary fermentation does not pose as a health risk.
• Cooked Wine, Heat & Light Damage
  • If a wine has not been stored properly, 50 – 55F, it will smell jammy in a sweet but processed way – similar to a wine reduction with a nutty aroma or vinegar.
  • As mentioned previously, we store our wines at proper temperature, but sometimes things happen in the distribution level of wine.
  • A wine that has been exposed to heat (this includes significant exposure to light) can be smelled/detected at any stage of the ‘open life’ (the life of the wine after it has been opened) of the wine. As a result, if you are returning a bottle due to heat damage, we will inspect the wine to confirm before replacing. Wines with heat damage will only be replaced up to 6 months after the purchase/delivery. A receipt or purchase date must be presented at the time of replacement ask.
  • Drinking or consuming a wine that has experienced heat damage does not pose as a health risk.
• Volatile Acidity, Acetic Acid
  • Not always a flaw, sometimes this is a winemaker’s stylistic choice. Volatile Acidity is a high presence of Acetic Acid. In high quality wine production, the extra boost of Acetic Acid will taste like balsamic Vinaigrette.
  • Wine Dispensary thoroughly vets all the wine that you will receive in your box. If there is a wine selected that contains Volatile Acidity (VA) it is most likely a stylistic choice, that Wine Dispensary believes enhances or reflects the true style of the wine.
  • In the case the VA is not a stylistic choice for with winemaker and the wine is experiencing VA, Wine Dispensary will replace the bottle with the same label.
  • Drinking or consuming a wine that shows signs of VA does not pose as a health risk (please note this is not medical advice and Wine Dispensary does not act as a doctor. If you are concerned please contact your doctor).

• Oxidation
  • Oxidation occurs with the wine is exposed to too much oxygen. Typically, you will experience oxidized wine after the wine has been open for more than 3 days (depending on the type and style of wine). Occasionally, wine will be exposed to oxygen while still bottled.
  • A wine will show symptoms of being exposed to oxygen in the bottle if the cork leaks. Meaning wine actually leaks out the top of the bottle through the cork, or when you open the wine you will notice streaks of wine moving up the cork.
  • Please have the original bottle and cork present when asking for a replacement.
• The below is a wine component that is not considered a flaw, and as a result, any bottles with this component will be not be replaced:
  • Tartrate Crystals
    • Tartrate crystals look like little glass shards sitting at the bottom of your bottle. These crystals are mineral precipitates that from in the presence of a high mineral unfiltered wine.
    • Wine Dispensary suggests not consuming these crystals, but rather decanting the wine and leaving the sediment/crystals in the bottle.

Bottle Replacement Policy

Wine is a living breathing product that is delicate and subject to its location. As a result, wine is not a finite product, and we cannot treat it as such. We have bottle replacement policy that we believe is fair to everyone, both you and us. As a result, we will only replace flawed bottles (see the flawed bottle policy (see above)), with the exception of heat/light damaged wines within one year of purchase. Heat and light damaged bottles will be only be replaced before the six-month mark after purchase date.

Receipt, or purchase date, and both the true original wine, in its original packaging (including the cork/closure), must be presented when requesting a replacement.

If the wine is less than three-fourths full when presented to be exchanged, Wine Dispensary will not accept the bottle.

Wine Dispensary will first exchange the bottle with the same label wine if available, in some cases the wine may need to be ordered. In the case the original wine is not available, Wine Dispensary will offer a bottle of equal value.

Wine Dispensary will not exchange or replace any wine that is not flawed. Wine Dispensary reserves the right to refuse placement of any bottle at any time.

Refund Policy

Wine Dispensary does not offer refunds for any product partially or fully consumed. If you need to return your wine club wines for any reason, please return within two weeks of receipt – we will be happy to refund your monthly billing and adjust your subscription as needed. Proof of purchase or purchase date is required to receive a full refund.

All returned products must be in mint condition. Wine Dispensary will not accept bottles with damaged labels or damage to the overall packaging.

 If you are looking to replace a flawed bottle of wine please see our policy on flawed wine (see above) and our policy on bottle replacement (see above).