Interesting. I received my Sineann pinots today and their best bottling, Resonance, is now being sealed with Vinoseal(sp?) glass corks. Anyone have any experience with these. Have never seen them before but sounds like an interesting alternative to cork and even screw caps.

Whitehall in Napa was the first US winery to use them. I like it - but have no idea what the ramifications are in terms of a long term closure

mattach,
Are they going 100% with this closure on the Resonance? Are do you have to request this? Last year, it was only a minority percentage.

green - don't know (i didn't even know they were moving this way)...i ordered covey ridge, phelps creek and resonance but did not specify anything. covey and phelps both came with reg corks but all of my resonance came with glass corks. i might have to open one next week just to see how they look

quote:

Originally posted by mattach:
i might have to open one next week just to see how they look

I look forward to your notes.

I am surprised by the use of glass closure. Personally I prefer corks. I think that it tends to help the wine age better thus creating the best taste.

How does cork help the wine to age better?
Especially if it has TCA.

*minor drift*

I've never seen one of these myself. When opening do you just drill it or do you need to use an ASoh?

wiml...i don't think you need anything. apparently it pops right out and can be reused as well

I saw a glass cork demonstrated lately at a wine festival. Mattach is correct the cork is pulled manually, and is reusable. A potentially elegant solution to the cork dilemma.

My only concern, besides the wine age-ability issue, is the O-ring on the glass cork is in contact with the wine. When I asked what the O-ring was made of, the representative had no idea. I suppose a completely inert material would be acceptable.

Interesting. Does this device look similar to a flip top like you see on the top of a Grolsch 1 liter bottle of beer?

quote:

Originally posted by Purple Teeth:
I saw a glass cork demonstrated lately at a wine festival. Mattach is correct the cork is pulled manually, and is reusable. A potentially elegant solution to the cork dilemma.

My only concern, besides the wine age-ability issue, is the O-ring on the glass cork is in contact with the wine. When I asked what the O-ring was made of, the representative had no idea. I suppose a completely inert material would be acceptable.

Purple is 100% spot on here. The o ring is in contact with the juice - although I didnt ask the Whitehall folks about the composite...

The glass cork screws out - it feels pretty substantial too. Not quite Grolsch-like - this is more substantial.

Very interesting. I need to buy some wine with these to check them out. Which bottlings of WHL can I purchase with these? Any other notable offerings?

i'm picturing this, but???

<edited, by TBird, so space wrangler doesn't cry >

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TBird,

WHL I'm assuming means Whitehall Lane?

Their Reserve Cab is I believe the only wine they bottle with the glass cork...you can check it out here:

http://www.whitehalllane.com/news_and_press/

And it doesnt hurt that the wine is pretty damn tasty

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
i'm picturing this, but(t)???

Im refraining from asking why you thought of those in reference to glass corks but ooooook.

quote:

Originally posted by spacewrangler:

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
i'm picturing this, but???

Im refraining from asking why you thought of those in reference to glass corks but ooooook.

please, never feel the need to "refrain".

<edited for space wrangler >

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TBird,

Where is Robert Taylor when you need him...

quote:

Originally posted by spacewrangler:
Where is Robert Taylor when you need him...

what is your problem? the description sounds identical. quit being a baby.

WIML,

Leal's 05 Sauvignon Blanc is under glass closure. With the foil on you can't really tell. I've tried the wine and it's a decent S.B. and at $24 is probably the cheapest bottle to try out the closure on.

wiml - try a sineann resonance pinot - you will not be disappointed...

quote:

Originally posted by mattach:
wiml - try a sineann resonance pinot - you will not be disappointed...

because of the glass cork?

I was at Whithall Lane this weekend. The glass cork is present only on the cabernet reserve and the Leonardini single vineyard cab. The wines tasted fine, with no funny smells or tastes from the O-ring. Granted, these were only 2003's, and maybe something can happen over time, but so far it seemed fine. The size of the O-ring is tiny, and I can't imagine it will inflict off-tastes over time, but time will be the ultimate test.

The cork is not a screw top. It is sort of like a stopper on a decanter. It creates a very strong interference fit when inserted with minimal pressure. It won't come off if you turn the wine on its side or upside down (they let me play with it ). It disengages when you simultaneously pull and tilt it. It is very easy to take off when you want, but almost impossible to knock off accidentally.

Personally, I think it's a good idea. They let me take one home. I'll try to take a picture and post it for anyone interested.

quote:

Originally posted by Wine Joe:
It is sort of like a stopper on a decanter. It creates a very strong interference fit when inserted with minimal pressure. It won't come off if you turn the wine on its side or upside down (they let me play with it ). It disengages when you simultaneously pull and tilt it. It is very easy to take off when you want, but almost impossible to knock off accidentally.

my point exactly, for he who is a bit too uptight for his own good.