OWC Wine Meaning: Original Wooden Cases and Your Collection
Updated
OWC wine meaning starts with the box itself. An Original Wooden Case (OWC) is the container in which the winery originally packed the wines. It serves as a key indicator of provenance, and it can influence a wine's condition and market perception. While the case itself does not directly protect the wine from internal faults, its presence can suggest a consistent storage history. That history is crucial for the long-term health of fine wines. Understanding the significance of an OWC, alongside critical factors like ullage levels and storage conditions, is essential for assessing the quality and potential value of wines in your collection. The same factors apply when you consider new acquisitions at auction.
What is an Original Wooden Case (OWC)?
An Original Wooden Case (OWC) is the container in which the winery packed the wines. WineBid, an auction house, states that "A wood or cardboard case is the container in which the winery packed the wines." This packaging is noted in a lot description if it is available. WineBid also specifies that "All packaging is shipped separately from the wines and the shipping of this packaging has an additional charge to the buyer."
How does an OWC relate to a wine's condition?
While the OWC itself is external packaging, its presence can be a component of a wine's provenance, which is a key factor in assessing condition and value. WineBid defines provenance as "The ownership history of a particular wine." This history "includes information about how the wine was acquired by the current owner and under what circumstances." Provenance is "particularly important for establishing the estimated value of very old, rare or valuable wines," according to WineBid. A wine's condition is primarily determined by factors such as ullage, cork integrity, and storage history. The OWC can sometimes imply a more consistent storage environment, although this is not guaranteed. WineBid inspectors are "trained to document every possible bottle detail," including "lightly depressed corks, lightly elevated corks, light capsule issues, and light label issues." Understanding these details is crucial for evaluating a wine's health, as described in our guide to fill levels and condition.
What is ullage and why is it important for bottled wine?
Ullage, or fill level, is the space between the wine and the top of its container. "Ullage (from the French ouillage ) is a winemaking term that has several meanings but most commonly refers to the headspace of air between wine and the top of the container holding the wine." WineBid defines ullage as "the space at the top of the wine bottle not occupied by wine."
This headspace is a mixture of alcohol and water vapors with carbon dioxide, a byproduct of fermentation. In containers that are not completely airtight, such as cork-stoppered wine bottles, oxygen can also seep into this space. While some oxygen is beneficial for wine aging that "excessive amounts can lead to oxidation and other various wine faults." WineBid emphasizes that "A low ullage can indicate seepage and oxidation of the wine, and affect its value considerably."
Producers aim for specific fill levels at bottling. Decanter reports that "aim for fill levels of 3-10mm at the time of bottling," according to Dirceu Vianna Junior MW. Most wineries strive to have an initial ullage level of between 0.2-0.4 inches (5-10mm). As wine ages, "some wine will be lost through cork absorption and evaporation," Junior states in Decanter. "As a cork is not a completely airtight sealant, some wine is lost through the process of evaporation and diffusion."
The ullage level is a key indicator of a wine's health and storage history. Matt Walls, DWWA regional chair for Rhône, told Decanter that it is "the best guide you have to the condition of a bottle of wine, especially if you don't know for certain how it's been stored." Julia Sewell, sommelier at The Fat Duck, added in Decanter that "low fill levels indicate poor storage conditions, namely high temperature or low humidity."
How are ullage levels assessed?
Wine merchants and auction houses use standard descriptions for ullage levels, which differ for Bordeaux and Burgundy wines due to their distinct bottle shapes.
Bordeaux Ullage Terms
| Ullage Level | Appearance | Assessment | Assessment (WineBid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base of neck or higher | High up to the cork | Normal level for young wines | If no fill level is indicated, that means that it is at the base of the neck of the bottle or higher. We consider anything that is in the neck to be a perfect fill level for any bottle of any age. |
| Very top shoulder | High in neck | Good condition for any age | Indicates either a slightly low fill at the time of bottling and/or a slight natural reduction due to an easing of cork and evaporation through the cork and the capsule. This is an excellent fill level for any wine more than 20 years old. |
| Top shoulder | Top of the shoulders | Normal for older wines. Good condition for wines over 15 years | On the high slope of the shoulder, this is an acceptable and normal fill level for wines 15 years of age and older. It is a very good fill level for wines 35 years of age and older. |
| Mid shoulder | Upper part of shoulders | Generally okay in older wines, especially those over 20 years | Suggests that ullage has dropped during the life of the wine due to easing of the cork and/or inconsistent storage conditions. This may be normal for a wine that is 40 years old or older. |
| Mid to mid-low shoulders | Mid to mid-low shoulders | Possible oxidation. Price should reflect the risk. | Not specified by WineBid. |
| Low shoulder | Low shoulders to below shoulders | Extremely risky. Possibly undrinkable | This occurs in older wines. |
Decanter also references Christie's guidance from 2013, which states that "shoulder' is normal for any claret 15 years or older, while 'mid-shoulder' isn't abnormal for a 30 to 40-year-old wine." For Bordeaux with ullage down to the "low shoulder," Christie's considers it "and usually only accepted for sale if wine or label exceptionally rare or interesting'," according to Decanter.
Burgundy Ullage Terms
Burgundy fill levels are measured in centimeters, by looking at the space between cork and wine, because Burgundy bottles are shaped differently from Bordeaux and Cabernet Sauvignon bottles, as WineBid explains.
| Ullage Level | Assessment (WineBid) |
|---|---|
| Two centimeters or less | Considered an excellent fill for any age and does not need to be mentioned. |
| Three centimeters | A perfectly normal fill for wines 12 years and older. It is an excellent fill level for wines 25 years or older. |
| Four centimeters | Considered a normal fill for wines more than 20 years old and excellent for wines more than 35 years old. |
| Five centimeters | Not uncommon in wines 30 years old or older. |
How do storage position and temperature affect a sealed bottle?
Chanut et al, writing in PNAS Nexus in 2023, measured oxygen transfer through the bottleneck and cork system over 24 months of storage. In vertical storage, the cork is in contact with the vapor phase of the model wine. In horizontal storage, the cork is in contact with the liquid phase. The study concluded that the storage position of the bottle had no significant influence on the oxygen transfer, neither through the cork alone nor through the glass-cork interface.
Temperature, however, had a strong impact on oxygen transfer. The study found that:
- At 20°C: The oxygen barrier properties of the bottleneck-cork system remained unchanged over 24 months of aging.
- At 35°C: Total oxygen transfer did not increase significantly for up to 9 months. Beyond this duration, a significant transfer at the glass-cork interface began to occur.
- At 50°C: This shift in oxygen transfer at the glass-cork interface occurred within the first 3 months of storage.
The researchers suggest that this temperature effect could be attributed to a "partial melting of the surface treatment agent" (composed of paraffin and silicone) or a "modification of the mechanical properties of the cork." For optimal preservation, Decanter's Julia Sewell advises that Long-term storage requires a temperature of around 13°- 15°C, a humidity level of 70% or so, and an absence of light and vibration. We also note that wines kept at ambient humidity levels and in temperatures between 50-59 °F (10-15 °C) will experience evaporation and diffusion at a slower rate, thus having lower ullage levels. For more on maintaining optimal conditions, see our guide on how to store wine.
What are the risks of excessive oxygen exposure?
Excessive oxygen exposure, often indicated by low ullage levels, poses significant risks to wine quality. "While some oxygen is beneficial to the aging process of wine, excessive amounts can lead to oxidation and other various wine faults." It also notes that excessive oxygen can interact with Acetobacter present in the wine, initiating the process of turning the wine into vinegar.
The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) details several oxidation-type faults:
- Oxidation: Sensory characteristics range from a dulling of the aroma to "cardboard," "straw," and "hay-like" aromas, or "sherry-like" and "madeirised." In extreme cases, "wet wool," "wet dog," or "varnish-like" aromas can be evident.
- Acetaldehyde: Levels above 125 mg/L can impart odors described as "over-ripe bruised apples," "stuck ferment" character, or "sherry" and "nut-like" characters.
- Volatile Acidity (VA): Generally perceived as the odor of vinegar. The AWRI reports an aroma threshold as low as 0.1: 0.125 g/L, but it is usually regarded as detrimental above 0.7 g/L. Ethyl acetate, perceived as nail polish remover with a sensory threshold of 12 mg/L, can also contribute to VA.
These faults can significantly diminish a wine's quality and, consequently, its investment potential. Understanding these risks is part of a broader approach to fine wine investment.
Does an OWC affect value?
The physical presence of an OWC is noted in the lot description when the case is available, and WineBid's policy is to send any packaging noted in that description unless you tell it not to. Keeping the case is therefore a decision with a cost attached: WineBid states that "All packaging is shipped separately from the wines and the shipping of this packaging has an additional charge to the buyer."
The condition of the wine, as indicated by factors like ullage and provenance, remains paramount. However, the market's perception of a wine's history and presentation, including its original packaging, can influence its desirability and realized price. For a comprehensive view of how market dynamics influence your collection, explore our live fine wine market index.
Understanding the nuances of original wooden cases, ullage levels, and optimal storage conditions is crucial for managing your fine wine collection. These factors directly influence a wine's health and its potential value in the secondary market. To stay informed on market trends and potential value changes for your collection, set up price alerts on your watchlist.