Grey Powdery Substance on Capsule

[ex]

Okay - An admittedly odd question... Over the summer I purchased a modest wine cooler (living in a small apartment in NYC I decided to buy a "Silhouette" from Danby (a 50 bottle unit).) So far I think it's been working well - constant temperature and humidity, etc. However, just in the past few weeks I noticed about 10 bottles on the top two shelves have developed a light grey powdery substance on the capsule (the metal covering the cork.) When I try brushing it off it is actually quite solidly affixed - using a damp cloth I can remove it but sometimes some of the color of the capsule itself comes off as well. The substance does not appear anywhere else on the bottle or on the label.

I have no idea what might be causing this - about a month ago I had not noticed anything like it. The only change I'm aware of is that from time to time the relative humidity in my apartment drops very low (I have a couple of humidifiers but they can run out of water pretty quickly when the heat is on and I'm out of town.) I realize this is not ideal for storage but the interior of the cooler appears to be maintaining a pretty constant humidity level of around 60% +/- 10% so I'm not too concerned.

Any suggestions on a) what can I do to prevent this? and b) is there any risk of harming the wine itself?

Thanks in advance!

[winoweenie]

Hi there ex and welcome to the board. Not to worry,fret, or be alarmed. Probably just a lillte mold. Wipe it off, open the hummer and enjoy. WW [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Auburnwine]

It might be oxidation of the metal. If either mold or oxidation, the humidity might be a little too high.

In either case, it's nothing to worry about.

[Thomas]

Seems to me the humidity in your cooler might need adjusting. The wines likely haven't suffered but since the mold happens to the top bottles, where the temperature usually is warmer than at the bottom of the unit, you could have future problems if it gets worse.

The fix could be as simple as leveling the unit or as complicated as--who knows what?

[hotwine]

Suggest you make a sanity check on the unit's humidity. Radio Shack sells a little battery-powered digital combination temp and humidity gauge for something like $25; catalog # 63-1013. I use three of 'em to make sure my units aren't lyin' to me.

[ex]

I appreciate everyone's replies! I guess I'm somewhat comforted but I think I'll go ahead and follow the suggestion to get an extra humidity reader as a sanity check. Of course what this really means is I'll need to go ahead and try out the bottles more quickly and frequently to ensure there is no impact... [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[White Wine Lover]

Can I help, ex?