1999

Year the United States Congressional Wine Caucus was founded by Congressman Mike Thompson (Democrat, 5th District). The bipartisan caucus, which has over 115 Congressional members, helps address the needs of the wine industry, such as labor and water shortages. When Thompson founded the Caucus, the first member to join was Hillary Clinton, then a senator from New York.

Sparkling wines and Champagnes cannot become corked.

Answer: False.

Popular misconception has it that sparkling wines and Champagnes cannot be corked because carbonation inhibits the formation of trichloroanisole (TCA). However, this is not the case. Sparklers can be tainted with TCA, and they can take on the telltale odor that makes wine smell like a wet dog sitting on moldy newspapers in a damp cellar. In fact, according to the French consulting oenologist and TCA expert, Dr. Pascal Chatonnet, TCA is actually easier to smell in sparkling than in still wines. The bubbles have the effect of volatizing the compound, making it smell more pronounced.

Isinglass

A gelatinous material, obtained from—get ready— the air bladders of sturgeon and other fish. Isinglass is sometimes used in fining wine to clarify and/or soften the texture of wine. Happily enough, it is removed before… Continue reading

1999

Get WineSpeed