Subjects. Consumers were recruited for both studies
through notices posted in Portland area wine shops and
email and phone contacts of individuals in the FIC sensory
and consumer database of over 2000 consumers. Subjects
for both experiments were selected for participation
based on their responses to a screening questionnaire,
which asked questions regarding age, gender, and the frequency
of drinking 19 different common beverages such
as fruit juice, dairy beverages, coffee, tea, and different
alcoholic beverages as well as wines. Questions regarding
the frequency of drinking other beverages were asked to
distract potential participants from realizing the intent of
the test and therefore falsifying their answers in order to
qualify for the test. The criterion for inclusion in both experiments
was consumer frequency of drinking both red
and white wines. In order to qualify for the first experiment
(difference tests), participants were required to indicate
that they drank either red or white wine at least once
a month. In order to qualify for the second experiment
(quality assessment test), participants were required to indicate
that they drank either red or white wine at least 2
to 3 times per month and the other (white or red) at least
once a month. An effort was made to ensure that the majority
of the participants were between the ages of 24 to
55, as requested by Hogue Cellars.
For the difference tests, participants between ages 21
and 65 were selected based on their interest, availability,
and frequency of red and white wine consumption. All
were Portland area residents. Sixty-four (23 male, 41 female)
subjects participated in test 1, comparing screwcap