Comments on: Yellow + blue make green: a new organic malbec in TetraPak http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/ wine talk that goes down easy Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:14:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Matthew Cain http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-126862 Matthew Cain Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:02:02 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-126862 Hi Rich. Matthew Cain here again, owner and importer of Yellow+Blue Malbec. I am happy you like the wine! Let me see if I can help you with your sulfites question... First, sulfur in the form of SO2 is a small byproduct of fermentation. A totally sulfite free wine is near impossible given this. Second, sulfur is used in viticulture and vinification throughout the world, at organic and conventional wineries. In viticulture, sulfur is used primarily in the form of Copper Sulfate in the infamous "Bordeaux mixture", a vineyard spray that protects vines from fungal diseases. In the winery, sulfur is used in the form of SO2 as an antiseptic and antioxidant. There are many bacteria and strains of yeast that can lead to spoilage, off smells, color loss, etc. in finished wine. The addition of sulfur kills or renders these microorganisms inoperative, thereby helping to stabilize the finished wine Sulfur also binds with oxygen in the wine to help prevent oxidation. I do know personally a few winemakers that make wines without sulfur, but they are very few and far between. Given its importance in stabilization, sulfur is used in virtually every winery in the world, no matter the price category of the wines the winery produces. When the USDA came out with their "NOP" (National Organic Program), there was a very large debate concerning added sulfites and organic wine. In the end, they decided that there would be two categories or organic wine: 100% Organic wine - Grapes grown organically and wine made without the addition of sulfites, and with total sulfur less than 20ppm. Wine "Made with organic grapes" - Grapes grown organically. Sulfite additions are allowed in the winemaking process. Given the importance of sulfites in preservation and stabilization, you will find that most organic wineries choose the "made with organic grapes" route. However, whether officially organic or not, most quality conscious wineries use the minimum amount of added sulfites needed to preserve the wine and its integrity. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions, and thank you again for your kind words about our wine. Hi Rich. Matthew Cain here again, owner and importer of Yellow+Blue Malbec. I am happy you like the wine!

Let me see if I can help you with your sulfites question…

First, sulfur in the form of SO2 is a small byproduct of fermentation. A totally sulfite free wine is near impossible given this.

Second, sulfur is used in viticulture and vinification throughout the world, at organic and conventional wineries.

In viticulture, sulfur is used primarily in the form of Copper Sulfate in the infamous “Bordeaux mixture”, a vineyard spray that protects vines from fungal diseases.

In the winery, sulfur is used in the form of SO2 as an antiseptic and antioxidant. There are many bacteria and strains of yeast that can lead to spoilage, off smells, color loss, etc. in finished wine. The addition of sulfur kills or renders these microorganisms inoperative, thereby helping to stabilize the finished wine Sulfur also binds with oxygen in the wine to help prevent oxidation.

I do know personally a few winemakers that make wines without sulfur, but they are very few and far between. Given its importance in stabilization, sulfur is used in virtually every winery in the world, no matter the price category of the wines the winery produces.

When the USDA came out with their “NOP” (National Organic Program), there was a very large debate concerning added sulfites and organic wine. In the end, they decided that there would be two categories or organic wine:

100% Organic wine -
Grapes grown organically and wine made without the addition of sulfites, and with total sulfur less than 20ppm.

Wine “Made with organic grapes” -
Grapes grown organically. Sulfite additions are allowed in the winemaking process.

Given the importance of sulfites in preservation and stabilization, you will find that most organic wineries choose the “made with organic grapes” route. However, whether officially organic or not, most quality conscious wineries use the minimum amount of added sulfites needed to preserve the wine and its integrity.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions, and thank you again for your kind words about our wine.

]]> By: Rich http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-126755 Rich Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:02:14 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-126755 I just tried this wine, Wow! what an intense flavor, different that the many wines available in the in the Northwest US. I did have a question about Organic Wine in general. I have heard that using sulfites speed the fermentation process and prolong the life of the wine. I have not seen sulfites in organic wines in the past. Is this a common practice? Does it have a flavor? It seems to me that the headaches created by knowingly having a "few more glasses" of wine containing sulfites are more present. Is the addition of sulfites common to lower expenses and spoilage, and does it help to create this mysterious headache? Thanks. Great wine! I just tried this wine, Wow! what an intense flavor, different that the many wines available in the in the Northwest US. I did have a question about Organic Wine in general. I have heard that using sulfites speed the fermentation process and prolong the life of the wine. I have not seen sulfites in organic wines in the past. Is this a common practice? Does it have a flavor? It seems to me that the headaches created by knowingly having a “few more glasses” of wine containing sulfites are more present. Is the addition of sulfites common to lower expenses and spoilage, and does it help to create this mysterious headache? Thanks. Great wine!

]]> By: Chad http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-113340 Chad Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:25:20 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-113340 I am impressed to see the wine industry hopping on the Green Train. I saw the TetraPak at Cost Plus World Market last weekend and I was very interested. Think I will have to try now. thanks for the great post. I am impressed to see the wine industry hopping on the Green Train. I saw the TetraPak at Cost Plus World Market last weekend and I was very interested.

Think I will have to try now. thanks for the great post.

]]> By: Six summer sippers under $20 | Dr Vino's wine blog http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-112994 Six summer sippers under $20 | Dr Vino's wine blog Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:48:42 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-112994 [...] This is my first taste of the YB, an unoaked malbec from grapes grown organically in Mendoza that comes in a one-liter TetraPak. Unlike most box wines that have little to distinguish them other than the packaging, this wine has [...] [...] This is my first taste of the YB, an unoaked malbec from grapes grown organically in Mendoza that comes in a one-liter TetraPak. Unlike most box wines that have little to distinguish them other than the packaging, this wine has [...]

]]> By: Matthew Cain http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-111843 Matthew Cain Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:53:13 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-111843 Hi Brian. Matthew Cain here, importer and owner of this Yellow + Blue Tetra project. I just read your reply, and I would like to respond to a few of your points. There is in fact a Tetra prisma packing facility in the U.S. I have chosen not to use them for several reasons, however the primary reason is that the focus of their business is in packaging other beverages in Tetra and not wine. Because of the popularity of wine packed in Tetra in Ontario, there is a facility there that only packages wine. This is the facility I use, and it is one of the best in the world with regard to Tetra packaging. Let me know if you have any other questions, and thanks for your reply. Best, MC Hi Brian.
Matthew Cain here, importer and owner of this Yellow + Blue Tetra project. I just read your reply, and I would like to respond to a few of your points.

There is in fact a Tetra prisma packing facility in the U.S. I have chosen not to use them for several reasons, however the primary reason is that the focus of their business is in packaging other beverages in Tetra and not wine.

Because of the popularity of wine packed in Tetra in Ontario, there is a facility there that only packages wine. This is the facility I use, and it is one of the best in the world with regard to Tetra packaging.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and thanks for your reply.

Best,
MC

]]> By: Brian http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-111336 Brian Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:50:29 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-111336 Currently there is no Tetra Prisma machine capable of packaging wine in the United States. One of the perennial problems with shipping bulk wine is quality control at the termination point. Using an independent packing plant has many problems especially if you rely on the quality of your product overdelivering. I know of many problems with shipping bulk to find that the wina has been mis-handled. Currently there is no Tetra Prisma machine capable of packaging wine in the United States. One of the perennial problems with shipping bulk wine is quality control at the termination point. Using an independent packing plant has many problems especially if you rely on the quality of your product overdelivering. I know of many problems with shipping bulk to find that the wina has been mis-handled.

]]> By: Vino di qualità in Tetrapack — Buongustai.biz http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-104727 Vino di qualità in Tetrapack — Buongustai.biz Sat, 17 May 2008 17:52:42 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-104727 [...] Dr.Vino, poi, è stato calcolato l’impatto sul trasporto. Stando ai calcoli dovrebbe essere di circa [...] [...] Dr.Vino, poi, è stato calcolato l’impatto sul trasporto. Stando ai calcoli dovrebbe essere di circa [...]

]]> By: OKVINO » Vino in tetrapack http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-103976 OKVINO » Vino in tetrapack Fri, 16 May 2008 19:54:13 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-103976 [...] Dr.Vino, poi, è stato calcolato l’impatto sul trasporto. Stando ai calcoli dovrebbe essere di circa [...] [...] Dr.Vino, poi, è stato calcolato l’impatto sul trasporto. Stando ai calcoli dovrebbe essere di circa [...]

]]> By: Pangaya Blog » Blog Archive » Yellow + Blue Organic Box Wine http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-92554 Pangaya Blog » Blog Archive » Yellow + Blue Organic Box Wine Thu, 01 May 2008 03:44:42 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-92554 [...] Story from Dr. Vino [...] [...] Story from Dr. Vino [...]

]]> By: Shana Ray http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-92542 Shana Ray Thu, 01 May 2008 00:25:34 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-92542 A malbec in a box... I love it! Sounds intriguing. The other day I tried the Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet in a tetrapak and I was not impressed. I hope this one is better. A malbec in a box… I love it! Sounds intriguing. The other day I tried the Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet in a tetrapak and I was not impressed. I hope this one is better.

]]> By: A wine vending machine? Pennsylvania could see them soon | Dr Vino's wine blog http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-92167 A wine vending machine? Pennsylvania could see them soon | Dr Vino's wine blog Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:08:23 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-92167 [...] before heading to Borders? Malbec and a movie? I wonder if they will have stemware. Or perhaps TetraPak wine so the bottle doesn’t break while being [...] [...] before heading to Borders? Malbec and a movie? I wonder if they will have stemware. Or perhaps TetraPak wine so the bottle doesn’t break while being [...]

]]> By: Eric H. http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-91250 Eric H. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:54:18 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-91250 Alaalas: Shipping may be charged by volume and not weight, but the physics say that the energy required to move something is definitely by mass regardless of volume. If you are shipping 25,000 kg, it takes the same energy whether it's 25,000 kg of wine or 12,500 kg of wine plus 12,500 kg of glass. It is therefore half as costly per liter of wine using this method. On your 3rd point, I'd probably go with a Gulfstream since it's a much nicer plane for the same money. Alaalas:

Shipping may be charged by volume and not weight, but the physics say that the energy required to move something is definitely by mass regardless of volume.

If you are shipping 25,000 kg, it takes the same energy whether it’s 25,000 kg of wine or 12,500 kg of wine plus 12,500 kg of glass. It is therefore half as costly per liter of wine using this method.

On your 3rd point, I’d probably go with a Gulfstream since it’s a much nicer plane for the same money.

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-90997 Dr. Vino Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:53:33 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-90997 It just occurred to me that it would be great if producers or importers included the mass (weight) of the packaging in grams somewhere on the label, front or back. It would be more interesting than the sulfites warning! It just occurred to me that it would be great if producers or importers included the mass (weight) of the packaging in grams somewhere on the label, front or back. It would be more interesting than the sulfites warning!

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-90974 Dr. Vino Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:05:22 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-90974 If you like this topic, check out the thread about this wine on BoingBoing Gadgets. Some worthwhile comments there, including a link to the current affairs of the TetraPak heirs! http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/21/selling-wine-in-tetr.html If you like this topic, check out the thread about this wine on BoingBoing Gadgets. Some worthwhile comments there, including a link to the current affairs of the TetraPak heirs!

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/21/selling-wine-in-tetr.html

]]> By: Melissa A. Dobson http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/21/yellow-blue-make-green-a-new-organic-malbec-in-tetrapak/#comment-90958 Melissa A. Dobson Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:53:11 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1668#comment-90958 Organic grapes, more environmentally friendly, 1/3 more wine than a regular liter--I'll try it! This would make a good addition to my every day wine rotation. Organic grapes, more environmentally friendly, 1/3 more wine than a regular liter–I’ll try it! This would make a good addition to my every day wine rotation.

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