vin bouchonné
The English phrase "corked wine" is translated into French as vin bouchonné.
The term is used to describe wine that has developed an unpleasant smell and taste because of a contaminated cork.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from vin (wine) and the past participle bouchonné, which means "corked" or "affected by a cork".
Which one should you use?
While vin bouchonné describes the wine itself, you can also use the phrase goût de bouchon to describe the specific sensation of a "taste of cork".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "corked wines", you must add an s to both the noun and the adjective: vins bouchonnés.
Did you know?
- The word bouchon is also used in French to describe a traffic jam, as cars are seen as 'stoppers' or 'plugs' in the road.
- In French dining, describing a wine as having a goût de bouchon is a way to politely shift the blame from the winemaker to the physical condition of the bottle.
- The word vin shares a common ancestor with the English word 'vine', though the French word refers specifically to the fermented drink while the English word usually refers to the plant.
Examples in context
- C'est bien dommage, mais malheureusement ce vin est bouchonné.It's a pity, but unfortunately this wine is corked.
- Ce vin est malheureusement bouché, rien à faire pour le sauver.This wine is unfortunately corked, nothing can be done to save it.
- Je viens de goûter le vin, et je crois qu'il est bouchonné.I just tasted the wine, and I think it's corked.
- Ce vin est bouchonné.This wine is corked.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are drinking wine at a restaurant.
- LéaHugo, goûte ce verre s'il te plaît.Hugo, taste this glass please.
- HugoC'est quoi ? Je trouve que c'est un vin bouchonné.What is it? I think it is a corked wine.
- LéaJe suis d'accord, l'odeur est désagréable.I agree, the smell is unpleasant.
- HugoJe vais demander une autre bouteille.I will ask for another bottle.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
