Ask Dr. Notebook

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Rachel Dry, Daren Fonda, Michael Jackson, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, John Rosenblatt, Josh Tyrangiel, Alexandra Wolfe

Q. Why is it that some wines smell as appealing as a barnyard? Is there nothing to be done?

A. The answer, like the odor, is in the cork. Wooden corks contain microbes that create unpleasant odors, but plastic corks are as classy as Dixie cups. The solution? Zap 'em. Researchers recently discovered that a specially designed microwave oven will kill the offending organisms, leaving corks odorless. Don't try this at home, however. These ovens will be incorporated into the wine-production process.