The system is designed as follows; a long and thin needle is inserted into the cork in order to extract the wine, but without allowing air to enter and hence preventing the oxidation of the wine. The space left free by the wine is replenished with Argon an inert gas that does not affect the wine in any manner.

This revolutionary system had made the buzz a few months back; even Robert Parker had named it “the killer device”! Coravin had received the 2014 innovation prize, as well as the “Edison Awards” gold medal.

However the Coravin system might present a few flaws. Several complaints might have been filed to the makers of the utensil following the explosion of several bottles, with the risk of laceration and cuts. The firm has asked its clients to stop using the Coravin system. It has also stopped the sales and further commercialization of their product. The solution: a neoprene “sock” its purpose being that of reinforcing the bottle and prevent glass shards from causing injury… the firm has advised users not to use the device on bottles larger than 75 cl. Or having unusual or irregular shapes.

Conclusion: for a revolutionary system sold at 250€ and each gas refill at 8€, the use of the device is rather limited since it can only be used on bottles with real cork stoppers, classic shaped and only 75 cl bottles, with a neoprene sock before one even starts using the utensil… rather disappointing, one could say.

L’article Coravin, problems with its use est apparu en premier sur Blog World Grands Crus.

For a certain number of persons, 2013 should be a good vintage, having had a cold rainy spring season, hailstorms in summer and the harvest, disturbed by the bad weather. Nevertheless this vintage should be satisfactory, low in alcohol levels as well as presenting altogether a well-balanced wine.
But for others, due to an insufficient quality, the harvest will not be issued under their labels.
Robert Parker will not give his notes until later, this will perhaps bring everyone back to the real quality for price concepts!
On the world market, mainly Americans and Chinese have declared in not being interested by this vintage. Bluff or real intentions, the result should be apparent very quickly through the prices.
Some owners have already offered their wines to merchants, without waiting for the notes, preferring to play on the timing, and playing the European market card.
Corridor gossip or should one say, gossip from the Garonne riverside docks, announce a price reduction of 20 to 30%
Stay tuned.
The Bordeaux wine region is a bit like the French « Dallas » with its merciless universe…

L’article The primeurs Grands Crus of 2013 from Bordeaux est apparu en premier sur Blog World Grands Crus.