Skirt around access port in top of wine storage vessel - to prevent air contact damage to wine as it contracts

摘要

Inside the vessel, an annular skirt surrounds the port-hole and extends downwards to dip into the wine. Pref. the skirt is integral with the collar surrounding the porthole and fitted into the top of the vessel. The top of the vessel is pref. fitted with a vent valve. Used to protect the wine against the effects of contraction due to drop in temp. and/or loss of carbon dioxide from soln. As the level of the wine falls due to contraction, the lower edge of the skirt remains immersed in liq. In this way, only the area of wine inside the skirt can make direct contact with air which leaks in through the port-hole. The possibility of contamination is greatly reduced.