“Waiter, there’s a naked woman in my wine” – caption this
Over at the new blogazine, Palate Press, there’s a posting about a pair of women who bare all and then jump in a tank full of warm, fermenting pinot juice, seeds and skins. No, this isn’t the recreational sport of tank diving; they did it in the name of “pigeage” or a punch down that keeps the floating bits (known as the “cap”) moist. Most wineries do this with a long tool while some use a method of taking juice from the bottom of the tanking pumping it over the top.
Here’s the photo that ran with the posting: what’s your caption? Try to keep it PG-13 or somewhat safe for work.
If we ingredient labeling on American wines, would they have to add naked woman if they do the traditional pigeage?
Sep
29
2009
On September 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am ,David Honig wrote:
Actually, getting to add “naked women” might be the silver lining to the gray cloud of ingredient labels.
On September 29th, 2009 at 9:30 am ,James wrote:
At Spa Vino we offer an invigorating soak in only the noblest grapes.
On September 29th, 2009 at 10:02 am ,Scott Abernethy wrote:
Don’t mind the little bubbles – that’s from the fermentation process.
On September 29th, 2009 at 10:14 am ,Paul Gregutt wrote:
Even if the river wasn’t whiskey, I’d be a diving duck.
On September 29th, 2009 at 10:20 am ,Paul wrote:
Isn’t illegal in the US to produce a commercial wine whose grapes were crushed or punched down with one’s body parts?
Just saying…
On September 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am ,Josh wrote:
Wait, did you say that “most wineries do this with a long tool”?
I thought you wanted to keep it clean? Lead by example Coleman! :-p
On September 29th, 2009 at 11:55 am ,Dermot the laugh wrote:
First off, I have a friend who did this one night when she was working in South Africa, so it’s pretty common – except she was in a big, stainless steel tank which is probably very risky.
You would wonder about yeast infections, as well…
Anyway, captions:
Wine, with added body!
Savour the flavour!! (Was a tag-line for tea in this part of the world, once).
Wish you were here?
Pickers with no knickers!!!
This is my Cuvee Benny Hill!!!!
Class, elegant with a hint of naughtiness…
On September 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm ,Gary wrote:
Sorry, but we were a little behind in punching down the cap!
On September 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm ,Damien wrote:
We have seen this before. I believe that such connections between wine and nudity lead to only one place in certain parts of this county, and so I propose:
“Alabama Slammer”
On September 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm ,Wine Splodge wrote:
Crackin’ Good Wine !
On September 29th, 2009 at 1:43 pm ,Jeff wrote:
Wine enthusiasts put their disdain for “critter labels” on hold in anticipation of pending release of “Naked Monkey”
On September 29th, 2009 at 2:08 pm ,kelkeagy wrote:
Maybe they should name it Short and Curlies Cuvee….
On September 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm ,Chris wrote:
“Bottom of Wine Barrel Revealed”
Hey, funny post.
Wish I could do a live-action of this process on my v-blog (www.pardonthatvine.com), where I review wines. But I need to keep it clean.
Fun stuff, Chris
On September 29th, 2009 at 5:22 pm ,harry wrote:
“Good lord! What a laxative that was!”
On September 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm ,Dylan wrote:
Illegal in Alabama.
On September 29th, 2009 at 7:13 pm ,nan wrote:
How can you tell the photo is woman? Might be man in good shape.
On September 29th, 2009 at 7:25 pm ,Morgan wrote:
I do this to my wines all the time. What’s a trip is finding the little pockets of warmth from hyper-active yeast. The problem is the cold shower from the nozzle of a hose after.
On September 29th, 2009 at 8:57 pm ,Sarah wrote:
Okay, um, WTF is going on here – is this legal? Man oh man, this is truly vile – you’re puttin’ the “v” in vino. But honestly, I should hope you’d be arrested for this. This makes me want to swear off wine forever!
On September 30th, 2009 at 1:23 am ,Enobytes wrote:
America’s most wanted. Live at five.
On September 30th, 2009 at 2:16 am ,The Baldman wrote:
hmmm, medium bodied, good backbone, reasonably long finish
On September 30th, 2009 at 4:21 am ,Pete wrote:
Waiter! There’s a hair in my wine.
On September 30th, 2009 at 7:14 am ,Wine Dog wrote:
Looooocy! I need to see you in the kitchen.
On September 30th, 2009 at 8:10 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
@Josh – Do you prefer giving your pinot a pump over?
@Josh and Morgan – as two winemakers here, can you comment on the legality and/or hygienic concerns Paul and Sarah raise about this type of piegeage? How, er, widespread is the practice?
On September 30th, 2009 at 8:34 am ,Kurt wrote:
…As she frantically searched for her clothes in the cold cellar that morning, one thought raced through her head, “new rule: no more after-hours wine pong in the tasting room”.
On September 30th, 2009 at 9:43 am ,Kate wrote:
How’s she gonna get THAT clean?
On September 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am ,PC game: Wine Tycoon | Dr Vino's wine blog wrote:
[…] still play PC games? If it’s going anywhere, it had better be massively multiplayer! * Does naked pigeage count as a plus or a minus in the game? * Who stirs the Biodyanmic preparations? * Do the […]
On September 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm ,Joel Burt wrote:
I suppose she could add a little nitrogen to the ferment as well…
On October 1st, 2009 at 1:26 pm ,mike wrote:
What’s the big deal? A naked woman or man in a tank of Pinot performing Punch-down is nothing new. Aside from punch-down nudity the small lot tank must also undergo the process of being de-juiced and then be transferred to the press. This process at a small winery often requires that someone (clothed or not) enter the tank with a shovel and bucket.
Could someone please post nude photos of the de-juicing process being performed?
Seriously, the only actual concern should be for the person in the tank not the wine. Strict protocol should be followed when humans are working in confined areas in the presence of CO2 gas.
OSHA would prefer to see nude tank workers in groups tied together with approved emergency evacuation straps and with fans for ventilation along with CO2 sensing badges.
What a great nude photo that would make! So much for the romance of winemaking.
On October 3rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm ,Louisa wrote:
As a winemaker, I’ve tried stomping grapes this way. It’s very good for the skin, but hard work, and only recommended as a way to crush grapes, not to punch them down during fermentation. Mike is right about the risk of asphyxiation from CO2. Only try it in a small vat, with plenty of ventilation. Modesty presupposes an otherwise empty winery.
Nosy agencies like the DEC, EPA, OSHA and the BOH may not like the practice, but there is no danger to human health from it because there are no bacteria harmful to humans that can survive the (low) pH of grape juice. And once it turns into alcohol, it’s even safer. Still, don’t go into the tank with perfume on.
Virgil lauded piegeage in his Georgics, singing,
“Great father Bacchus to my song repair;
For clustering grapes are thy peculiar care:
For thee large bunches lade the bending vine;
And the last blessings of the year are thine.
To thee his joys the jolly autumn owes,
When the fermenmting juice the vat o’re flows.
Come strip with me, my God, come drench all o’re
Thy limbs in must of wine, and drink at ev’ry pore.”
On October 4th, 2009 at 5:50 pm ,Bruno wrote:
What about “Cu(l)vé de pinot”?
Nice picture.
On October 29th, 2009 at 7:15 pm ,Charles E. STANFIELD wrote:
Ty, Ty, Ty!
The state-of-the-art wine press pictured above needs a bit more junk in the trunk and a tighter bung. On the plus side, more natural yeasts and enzymes are added, and iron, depending on the time of the month. Aaah! I can feel the sweet nectar dripping down chin. Oh my!
On November 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm ,Bill Johnson wrote:
This is a truly PINK wine…
On May 18th, 2011 at 8:15 pm ,bonzo wrote:
Hmm, there’s something fishy about this wine…