I’ve successfully used a couple of Eurocaves for twenty years. The current pair were purchased when we moved three years ago. Suddenly over the last two months I’ve had a mold outbreak in one of them. It literally went from zero to this in a couple of months. It seems to be concentrated on the bottom third to half, and mainly in the back row. I’ve actually not brought any new “old” wines into it during this period, so I’m perplexed.Temperature has remained constant. Anyone have experience with why this happens? Also, any best practices to eliminate it and avoid a recurrence? Thanks in advance. Picture below, and the labels are particularly impacted.
I had this happen once. The problem was that the bottles were touching the back of the unit. Make sure you have a good inch of space between the bottles and the back wall. I haven’t had this problem again since.
Thanks Poppy. Any advice for cleaning? Soap and water?
Make sure the drain in the bottom tray is not plugged. +1 on what Poppy said. If you have numerous bottles touching the back wall it seems to increase condensation.
Probably a good time to check the filter also.
I’d use a vinegar and water solution to clean. If there is a lot of mold, I would consider also using rubbing alcohol. Just don’t use any bleach products!
Gracias.
If you’re in a high humidity climate/area, you may want to consider some of the beads that generally made for large humidors. You can get enough to stay at 60-70% humidity. That said, if you’re seeing it for the first time, I think others hit the nail on the head.
This, and make sure to change the charcoal filter…
I would probably use a dilute peroxide solution followed by warm non-perfumed soap and water and then dry. The peroxide should kill on contact. As said before stay away from bleach or any other chlorine containing cleanser…Gary
Must be global warming. Its almost tropical here today in Minnesota.
Hmmmm. The appearance of those molds is quite worrisome. I can help you here but I’ll need you to FedEx me that bottle on the left, stat! 
Actually, in all seriousness, what would be wrong with a dilute bleach solution? I get that white vinegar is a good antifungal but if the unit is properly allowed to air out after cleaning, I don’t see bleach as a problem. It’s commonly used to clean food-grade production equipment.
This worked for me: http://www.mycleaningproducts.com/mold-cleaning-and-prevention-kit-32oz?gdftrk=gdfV25611_a_7c2035_a_7c7516_a_7cMOLD_d_KIT_d_32oz
Then follow Poppy’s advice and leave some space between the bottle and back of the unit.
Thanks all.
The “C” in TCA is Clorine, yes?
Bleach is a precursor to TCA, cork taint. Bleach plus any wood product (cardboard, cork, pallet, cork) can cause a disaster. Not sure I would use vinegar either as its loaded with acetobacter. Hydrogen peroxide sounds like the best bet.
Clean with TCA contamination.
Thanks for the clarification Tom and Joe. Was/is there a clear and established link with sodium hypochlorite and TCA? What little I read mentioned that when the bleaching process of corks changed to peroxide back in the '90’s, there was no reduction in the incidence of TCA taint.
I thought some TCA contaminated wine maker cellars were linked to havng been cleaned with bleach. This may have only been anecdotal evidence.
Obviously, since the mold has appeared, you need to get rid of it. However, you need to address the cause of the mold or it will reappear. Your Eurocave is maintaining too high humidity. IMO, the contact of the bottle to the back of the unit is immaterial, as if your humidity was lower, it wouldn’t appear. Most likely you have a problem with the door seal, or an air leak somewhere else that is allowing warm moist air into the cabinet, that when cooled, raises your RH.
