Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ssc-vax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!tektronix!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tjj From: tjj@ssc-vax.UUCP (T J Jardine) Newsgroups: net.wines Subject: Re: Wine corks (again!) Message-ID: <897@ssc-vax.UUCP> Date: Mon, 19-Mar-84 14:29:25 EST Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.897 Posted: Mon Mar 19 14:29:25 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 00:43:11 EST References: <231@opus.UUCP> Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle Lines: 27 Delving into memories of past research in this area, it seems to me that the problem relating to wine corks is not solely to keep them wet, but to prevent oxygen from getting into the bottle, thus oxidizing the wine and producing all those nasty acids, ketones and esthers! Keeping the cork 'damp' will tend to prevent the cork itself from decomposing. This helps to reduce oxidation but more importantly permits the cork to be removed in one piece. Keeping the cork 'thoroughly wet' reduces to a minimum the ability of oxygen and other pollutants gaining access to the wine. It also provides sufficient pressure so that, if the cork shrinks or otherwise separates from the neck, the wine will seep into the space. This permits the problem to become easily visible (wine dripping from the lead seal) and, if the wine has a tendency to crystallize or throw sediment, will aid in sealing the bottle. An added benefit to keeping the wine cork fully immersed in this fashion is that the sediment 'thrown' by some wines will collect on the bottom of the cork. If one knows what to look for, this can provide information on the state of the wine by inspection of the cork, visually and nasally, prior to tasting. This is most effective with wines that are very, very old. Wines that have a high sugar content are likely to form 'rock candy' crystalline structures on the inside of the cork -- this doesn't imply that these wines are bad. Hope this helps and that if my memory is slightly impaired that it will motivate someone with more recent data to contribute. "A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine" Ted Jardine -- TJ (with Amazing Grace) The Piper ...uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tjj