Wine selection. Two different commercial wines were
used for this study, both produced and processed specifically
for the closure study in the Columbia Valley of
Washington state: a barrel-aged 1999 Merlot targeting a
retail price of ~$18.00US and a 2000 Chardonnay targeting
a retail price of $10.00US. Wine bottling specifications and
analytical data for each wine are presented in Table 1.
Closure selection. The selection of closures was based
on previous production and tasting experience at Hogue
Cellars. The natural corks used in both wines were selected
from the lot used in the commercial bottling of the
Merlot, which had been purchased after prescreening of