News
The capsules on all the bottles in this sale were removed for cleaning purposes. The bottles have been cleaned with a high grade antimicrobial.
Bottles with screw cap closures were also cleaned with a high grade antimicrobial. This cellar has been sighted and inspected by Stewart Langton.
The wines are now lying in Langton’s Melbourne cellars. Please contact Mark Samaha if you would like to arrange a viewing of this collection.
Mark Samaha
p. 03 9428 4499
e. marks@langtons.com.au
Unit 5/650 Church Street, Richmond. Victoria.
Flood damage Stock was stored at Kennard’s
Kennard’s Self Storage
MILTON
16-20 Black St
QLD 4064
The wine included in this flood damaged auction would have been submerged under two metres or less of water, for approx 12 to 24hrs. Bottles were washed with a high grade antimicrobial to kill the high levels of ecoli. The wines were in cabinets stacked from the ground up so depth and time in water varied.
Details on the Flood Event Day
Milton was vacated by the Team at 3.30-4.00pm on Tuesday the 11th of Jan 2011. Water was half way up the driveway at that point in time.
Water had receded enough to get access by Friday 14th 5pm. Water still covered the street at this time but was no longer over the driveway.
Kennard’s estimate the wine storage area would have been completely submerged for about 24 to 30 hours. However it’s possible that it was only under 12 hours, very hard to estimate.
High grade disinfectant was used to clean up.
Kennard’s were advised verbally levels of E Coli are very high and purchased a high grade disinfectant to treat the affected areas, disinfectant approved by microbiologists and specifically designed to treat E Coli.
January 2011; Geoff Cowey Senior Oenologist | The Australian Wine Research Institute
There have been a few cases discussed over the last 12 months about submerged bottles of wine; generally submerged in the ocean/salt water conditions and subsequent tastings of the wine being found to be fantastic. The wines have often been decades old, however, and the tastings less formal, but from a storage point of view the wines would be well insulated.
In terms of water entry into wine, the same rules apply to that for oxygen, thus those wines sealed with screw caps should expect negligible/no wine contamination in the bottle. Cylindrical closures, particularly natural, more likely to be affected, and also more likely to soak up/absorb some of the water into the closure itself. This could lead to potential taint issues, as well as microbial growth(s) on/in the cork due to the increased moisture content of the cork and the generally higher humidity conditions in Queensland. We also have to think that power supply to many areas in Queensland has ceased for many days meaning additionally no temperature control in any of the areas affected.
A thought: Peter Godden’s Application team has a device called the Bevscan, which we have used to non-destructively detect in bottle, the bottle to bottle variation in production runs when wine is suspected of being diluted at the start or end of run, due to being pushed through the line with water. This technology could be used by companies wanting to non-destructively detect any possible breaches in the seal/integrity of the closure due to being submerged and any subsequent wine dilution.
Some water would be expected to potentially enter the screw cap under the skirt as you suggest, maybe less depending on redraw etc. I would be cautious using any sterilising agent on packaged bottles, particularly those with natural cork, mostly due to the majority of ‘sterilisers’ containing halogen active agents such as chlorine, that can impart chlorophenol taints, etc, particularly on any natural product, such as corks, and also paper labels, etc. Peroxide based agents also may damage neck and bottle labels, but may be appropriate if the wines were to be relabelled (which will most likely be the case for wineries with stock submerged in the muddy waters; less likely for consumer cellars/retail). Preferentially, an ethanol spray/neck rinse would be the least damaging but still an effective sanitiser, and has been used in the past for cases like you have mentioned in the EU. UV sterilisation may also be an option, and is used as an effective microbial control for water used on packaging lines. Note this would be very dependent on the bottle glass colour, as you would not want to expose wine to UV light if using a clear glass.
Given the type of water contaminant, and that E.Coli has been detected in some of the waters tested reported by Queensland authorities, leading to recommendations to not swim, etc, or avoid contact with the water in general, it does pose some reason for concern over affected bottles and more reason to claim losses through insurance.
Update January 25 2011; Rae Blair, Communication Manager | The Australian Wine Research Institute
Further to recent conversations with staff from the AWRI, we now send further details regarding flood water contamination.
There are two health issues for wine bottles affected by the flooding. The first is the actual wine in the bottle. Wine containing at least 11% alcohol v/v, and in combination with organic acids (i.e. tartaric acid), low pH value and phenolic compounds, creates a hostile environment that inhibits and indeed kills common human bacterial pathogens within a short time, measured in hours. Louis Pasteur first suggested that it was safer to drink wine than water in the 1800s: “Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages”.
The second issue is the surface of the wine bottle including closure, neck and rim. If the wine bottle has been submerged in flood water potentially containing pathogens then they will remain on the bottle, label and closure. The wine poured from the bottle may therefore come into contact with the pathogens. This means that the outside of the bottle and closure, as well as the neck and rim of the bottle should be thoroughly cleaned with ethanol prior to pouring the wine and drinking it. In addition, the pourer’s hand should be cleaned. Regarding the disinfection of contaminated surfaces, 70% ethanol or isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) diluted in water is regarded to be effective and should not taint the wine.
Floodwaters containing pathogens could potentially contaminate wine grapes. The growth and survival of these pathogens in juice and subsequently wine is possible if prepared without a sterilisation step such as filtration or pasteurisation, however, it would be highly unlikely that these pathogens would survive the fermentation process.
Updated 10th September 2012; Adrian Coulter, Senior Oenologist | The Australian Wine Research Institute
The above information is still relevant, although in this particular case we added some extra comments because the query to us was whether to use sanitisers to clean the bottles.
We would be cautious using any sterilising agent on packaged bottles, particularly those with natural cork, mostly due to the majority of ‘sterilisers’ containing halogen active agents such as chlorine, that can impart chlorophenol taints etc, particularly on any natural product, such as corks, and also paper labels etc. Peroxide based agents also may damage neck and bottle labels, but may be appropriate if the wines were to be relabelled (which will most likely be the case for wineries with stock submerged in the muddy waters; less likely for consumer cellars/retail). Preferentially, an ethanol spray/neck rinse would be the least damaging but still an effective sanitiser, and has been used previously. UV sterilisation may also be an option, and is used as an effective microbial control for water used on packaging lines. Note this would be very dependent on the bottle glass colour, as you would not want to expose wine to UV light if using a clear glass.
From a similar issue dealt with last year, this is what we concluded:
“It comes down to an issue of risk and taking all relevant measures to reduce risk. The most important reduction in risk is to clean the bottle, closure and the bottle neck once opened before pouring and to regularly sanitize hands etc to avoid cross contamination with other bottles, foods, glasses and implements. In addition, it is important not to re-seal a bottle with a potentially contaminated closure. If the closure appears at all compromised, such as a leaking or dented closure which would break the seal, it would be advisable to ditch the contents. Wine that is commonly sold in Australia is safe to drink within a short period of exposure to contamination from in vitro/test tube studies."
|
|
|
 |
News Archive
NOW OPEN PENFOLDS AUCTION
A Perfect Partner for Penfolds
Dr Ray Beckwith OAM - a Tribute
The Emergin Wine Scene in Finland
For the love of Chestnuts
2012 En Primeur: Sauternes & Barsac Tasting Notes
Langton's Classification V Set
Len Evans Foundation Auction
Behind Bindi: The Life of a Winemaker
Champagne –all about marketing or worth the hype?
The State of New Zealand Pinot Noir
London Launch of Burgundies 2011
Beauty and Balance the Razor's Edge
Yalumba Tasting – Aussie Rules
Hospices de Beaune Auction 2012
Langton's Classification Auction 2012
Hill of Grace 50th Anniversary Lunch
History of Langton's Classification
Melbourne Private Cellar - An Extraordinary Auction
The Future of the Australian Wine Show System
The Jura's famous yellow wine
Clonakilla - A special Shiraz Viognier Tasting
Key News - September 2012
October Langton's Cellar Club
Single Vendor Flood Damaged Auction
Robert Parker & Jancis Robinson MW
A great Burgundian domaine restored
Seppelt Para Liqueur Vintage Tawny Collection - Special Auction
Vega-Sicilia - A special Single Vendor Auction
Opera Australia Christmas Auction
Out of the Blue Comes a Farm
The competitive Mr. Basset OBE, MW, Best Sommelier in the World
Uncorking Penfolds Clinic
Fruit of the Forest: Wild Fungi
Innovation and Experimentation
The Risk Taking Wine Psychologist
Sydney Single Vendor Auction
Hill of Grace 50th Anniversary Lunch
Australia's Top 100 Auction Wines for 2011
Grenache Day Blogger's Breakfast
A French Sleeping Beauty Awakes
Black Blue & Grey-Wolf Blass Luxury Release
An Enviable Inharitance - Olivier Leflaive
Key News - December Edition
Cross[x]Species Adventures
The China Syndrome: Shanghai International Wine Challenge 2011
Christmas and another great vintage in Alsace
Down in the Woods: Franciacorta and Ca' del Bosco
Foie gras and sweet wine in the Loire
Key News - October Edition
Bordeaux Masterclass & Dinner
Invisible Touch: Benchmark Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Key News - September Edition
The Unsung Heros of the French Wine Harvest
It's only Natural: Torbreck Natural Wine Project
On Organics, Biodynamics and Sustainable Viticulture
Key News - March 2011 Edition
Langtons is now on Twitter & Facebook
The Nine Network: Burgundy 2009
Key News -February 2011 Edition
2007 Hospices de Beaune Review
Penfolds Rewards of Patience - Decant Guide
The Drinks Interval: Wine & Cricket
Last outpost of the Bristish Empire
Trevor Mast Charity Auction
Shipping for the Festive Season 2010
Keys News - November Edition
From Northern Ireland to New Zealand: Te Mata Coleraine 2006-1991
Charity Lot - 123 Classified Wines
BUY CLASSIFICATION POSTER
Variations on a Theme: Coonawarra Reds 2006-1982
Key News -October Edition
Key News - September Edition
Flaming Ferrari: Yalumba the Signature and Single Site New Releases
Classification V - Coming Soon!
Key News - August Edition
Blood, Sweat & Tears: Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1987-2006
Bordeaux 2009 Reflections
A Perfect Ten? Bordeaux 2000 reassessed 10 years on
2005 Grange: Where do the Grapes come from?
Is it a Bird? A Plane? It's 707!
Meet the Winemakers Behind Today's Penfolds Great Reds
Bin Files: Penfolds 389 vs Grange
Treasured Bottles - Yarra Yering
The Evolution of New Zealand Pinot Noir
SINGLE VENDOR AUCTION DEC 2009
Opera Australia Christmas 2009 Auction
Classic Wines of Australia 1961-1970
Parker Review - Tuscany 2006 & 2007
French wine remains the worlds reference point
PINOSOPHY – Brian Croser’s Pinot Noir Manifesto
Penfolds Primary Reds Rise Above Stock Market Blues.
Langton’s Top 500 Australian Wine Prices 2007
The Great Wine Estates of Western Australia “2007 En-Primeur Campaign”
147 Vente Des Vins - Des Hospices de Beaune
LANGTON’S Classic PENFOLDS Wine Auction
Jasper Hill – The life and works of Ron and Elva Laughton
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon – Hunter Valley
Robert Parker Jr.’s top 180 Wines of the 2006 Vintage + Andrew Caillard's Bordeaux Impressions
Opening Gambit - Andrew Caillard MW en route to Bordeaux
Heritage & Evolution: A Tasting
Certainty! The Claret Drinker's Song
Wine Investment – Swim between the flags
Penfolds Classified Wines
Classic Penfolds Wine Auction
The Siren’s Song – Bass Phillip
Exchange Current Listings
Andrew Caillard MW reviews Bordeaux 2005
Bordeaux 2005 – Does it get any better than this? What the international reviewers are saying
Nicky Riemer – the new Head Chef at Langton’s Restaurant
Langton's Exchange in 2006
Langton’s 2005 Classification IV – International Reception, Predictions and Tastings
Langton’s 2005 Classification IV – International Reception, Predictions and Tastings
LANGTON’S EXCHANGE – BUY NOW and SAVE 15%
Great Wines Estates of WA Live Auction (V) – Open for Bidding Online October 21 to November 12
Langton’s 2005 Classification IV
2005 Classification in Gourmet Traveller WINE
Bordeaux 2004 – A Classic Vintage
Penfolds Grange Auction – Now Open
MCWILLIAMS Celebrity Blend-Off for Charity Wine Auction
Grange Auction Open for Bidding
LANGTON’S EXCHANGE – BUY NOW!
1998: Vintage of the Century
A Vertical Tasting of De Bortoli Noble One
The Story of Grange by Max Schubert (1915–1994)
Penfolds Grange Auction June 13 - July 14, 2003
A Lazy Eye on Pink Cliffs & One Eye
Henschke Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone
Selling at Langton’s in 2003
Australian Wine Exchange offers Giaconda Chardonnay
Large Format Grange Sets Records
The Sensational 2002 Central Otago Pinot Noir Vintage
Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration and Barrel Auction
The John (Jack) W Henderson Collection - Auction Closes February 3, 6pm
Shiraz Australia II Auction
Seppelt Para 100 Year Old Liqueur Vintage Tawny Barossa Valley - Vintages 1878-1903
|