Capsule Condition

When the condition deviates from normal, the information is clearly indicated in the product sheet to guarantee you complete transparency and a reliable assessment of each bottle.

The capsule protects the cork and reflects the storage conditions of the bottle. On old wines, slight wear — small dents, friction marks, superficial oxidation or metal patina — is normal and generally does not affect the quality of the wine.

At SoDivin, we evaluate each capsule according to precise criteria: overall integrity, absence of cracks, possible presence of seepage, type of oxidation and consistency with the age of the bottle. A marked capsule may be perfectly acceptable, while certain signs, such as seepage or significant deformation, require particular vigilance.
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Bottle fill levels

Bottle fill levels
Label condition

Label condition
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Bottle condition

Capsules in good condition

A capsule is considered in good condition when it has a healthy appearance consistent with the age of the bottle. Depending on the vintage, this may correspond to an almost intact capsule on a recent wine, or to a capsule showing a light and uniform patina on an older wine.

Slightly damaged capsule

A slightly damaged capsule shows discreet signs of wear: the top may display traces of rubbing, fine scratches or a superficial tear.
These slight imperfections do not affect the bottle's seal or the wine's preservation quality.
They result from the natural aging of the bottle and normal handling over time.
This level of condition is very common on old wines and remains perfectly acceptable.

Damaged capsule (pierced)

A damaged capsule corresponds to a capsule pierced at the top, either deliberately or accidentally.
When the capsule skirt is cut in a clean and localized manner, this most often results from a professional inspection carried out by experts or merchants, aimed at checking the wine level or cork condition without opening the bottle.
This practice, common in the trade of old vintages, has no impact on the wine's quality or preservation.
Each affected bottle undergoes rigorous inspection before being put on sale, and this particular feature is systematically specified on its descriptive sheet.