Why do tartrate crystals form in some wines?
Some white wines can develop tartrate crystals, which are perfectly natural and do not affect the quality or purity of the wine. Tartaric acid, the primary acid in grapes, can form small crystals when wine is chilled to even refrigerator temperature. These crystals can form sediment in the bottle or adhere to the cork. If crystals form in the bottle, we suggest standing the bottle upright for a few hours; then, decanting the wine into another container before serving.
