Fill level

The fill level of the wine is the biggest factor in purchasing or selling a wine. A lower fill level indicates a dried out cork or a broken seal due to a faulty cork. Even wines corked around 1900 can still have a high fill level, which would indicate excellent storage.

We differentiate between eight different fill levels

	High Fill (HF) Very good condition Bottle probably quite young or closure yet optimal Safely buy / drink
	Into Neck (IN) Good condition Bottle probably young or closure still very good Safely buy / drink
	Top Shoulder (TS) Acceptable condition when bottle > = 20 years old Safely buy / drinking with minimal risk
	Upper Mid Shoulder (UMS) State is advised in the caution Normal for bottles > = 30 years old Slight oxidation risk Be careful when buy
	Mid Shoulder (MS) Ageing cork Bottle presumably > = 40 years old Oxidation is not unlikely Increased caution when buying
	Lower Mid Shoulder (LMS) Ageing cork Bottle presumably > = 40 years old Increased oxidation risk Great caution when buying
	Low Shoulder (LS) Only acceptable in rare and very old wines New corking would already have to pass Very high oxidation risk Purchase at your own risk
	Below Shoulder (BS) Oxidation- risk close to 100% Buy only in special cases