The term "corked wine" doesn't refer to wine that is packaged with a cork, but wine with an unpleasant aroma and flavor often caused by a cork that's contaminated with 2,4,6-trichloroanisole bacteria. This bacteria won't hurt you, but it certainly makes wine less enjoyable, and this is what to do if you're stuck with a corked bottle.

If you pour out some wine you've purchased to find it's been corked, put that cork back in it and return it to the store — a good wine shop will happily replace it for you. If you happen to be in a high-end restaurant, you can ask the sommelier for their opinion of the wine, and if it is indeed corked, they'll also replace it for you right away.

Many wine companies use natural corks because of a widespread perception that cork-finished wines are higher quality than ones that use screw caps or synthetic corks, but this isn't necessarily true. If you're paranoid about corked wine, a screw cap or synthetic cork will ensure that your wine won't be tainted by its own cork.