Have you ever reached for a bottle of wine you have been waiting to try and see something that looks like crystals or even sand in the bottle of wine? You look closer at the bottle and think, “What is happening with this wine?” You were about to have a glass but you pause and wonder if it is ok to drink. The answer is, in short, yes. What you are seeing is a natural wine occurrence called tartrates. The crystals you see are completely harmless and you can and should still drink the wine.

One of the 3 main acids in wine is called tartaric acid, which gives wine its tartness. Tartaric acid is important because it helps maintain PH levels and prevents wine from spoiling. However, it does not always stay dissolved when the bottled wine reaches cold temperatures.

Since tartaric acid is sensitive to temperature fluctuations (which is impossible to avoid here in Missouri!), a wine that is too chilled will simply cause the tartaric acid to solidify. Because some wine drinkers are surprised by the tartrates at the bottom of their bottle of wine, it is common to filter it even though those tartrates are harmless. Think of ice cubes. Even though the ice is in a solid form, it is still water. It simply just took a different form.

So the next time you are with company and come across tartrate crystals in your bottle, let everyone know that there is nothing to fear! Show off your newfound wine knowledge and save the party!