Addressing Continual Flow or Leakage
Handling Continual Flow or Leakage in Bottling
"Couleuse" is a term for a common issue in bottling where wine leaks between the bottle's neck and the cork stopper. This problem can be caused by several factors, often working together, which makes pinpointing the exact cause a bit tricky. Here's a breakdown of the main reasons this might happen:
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Excessive Internal Pressure: Usually, this won't cause a constant leak, but it might lead to a small, temporary loss of wine. This happens until the pressure inside the bottle balances out.
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Worn Compression Jaws: Over time, the jaws used to insert the stopper can wear down. This wear can create grooves in the cork, which might lead to wine leaking out.
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Wrong Stopper Size: If the cork stopper isn't the right size for the bottle's neck, it might not fit tightly enough. A loose fit can compromise the seal and allow wine to escape.
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Insect Damage in Cork: Sometimes, insects like worms and ants can create holes in the cork while it's still on the tree. These holes are usually spotted and removed during the post-harvest process, so they're rare in the final product.
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Manufacturing Defects: These might happen during the stopper's production, but they're typically caught during quality control.
Knowing these potential causes can help you troubleshoot and prevent "Couleuse" in your bottling process.