StarForum

[Dan Clarke]

[Cam]

[GrahamB]

The ones that I have seen just look like good quality composite corks but with DIAM printed on the side with a thing like a horse shoe nail behind the word. Shows my age with knowledge about things as H/S nails.

Had to get one from the cork bin to check though. They also have a slight taper. Small end into the bottle by the red stain.
_________________
You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on........

[GrahamB]

Maybe it is a good project to become involved in. I could write a book on Diam closures and become rich & famous like Tyson.
_________________
You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on........

[Notorious Glug]

[gazzab]

Sorry guys stick to the topic, I preferred the initial topic. Come on Smithy and Cellar Rat, let it fly.

Gazzab the stirrer.
_________________
Life's like a penis: When it's soft you can't beat it;When it's hard you get screwed.The Fat Man

[Ian S]

[smithy]

Ian

Got to say I am a bit of an idealist...hence the Les Darcy story.

Aussie wineshows can hardly be described as an amateur event!
Especially the majors (Sydney Melbourne Adelaide Rutherglen)

Biased judging is what this whole thing is about. Lets just say I have no problem with a Chairman giving instructions. All wines are judged equally under those instructions. I do have a problem when the Chairman is there too long...ie move them around a bit! Biased a little bit..fair ....Absolutely!

If you don't like the style in Melbourne, fine don't show in Melbourne. If its too hot for your wines in Sydney...don't show.

But at some point... put your foot on the hanky and give everyone a bit of a look at your'e wines. The exhibitor tastings have been a mainstay of the Aussie wine show system..allowing other exhibitors to see what does well what doesn't.

As for cost/ no of bottles etc. A typical cost is $25 with 4 bottles required. Can't see thats an issue.

The criticisms of the Aussie show system on ebob are just abysmall.
From those that have never seen one to scream how unfair it is, just blows me away. The hyprocrisy is mindblowing!

Cheers
Smithy
_________________
Home of the mega-red

[Ian S]

[smithy]

Like I said I am an idealist.
As far as $150 a bottle stuff goes...that is $1800 a case or $180,000 for 100 cases.

Worth showing.

Even if you only made 100 cases we are only talking 4 bloody bottles after all. I probably drop that.
As far as sticking little medals on things.. I know its a commercial reality, but we choose not to do it.
Just seems tacky.
Ch Margaux doesn't do it.. neither do we!

Torb has an excellent review on his website about RPJ and "the emperor of wine" from a compatriot of Bobs.
fascinating stuff!

Can't see their objections to our show system at all after reading this!

Cheers
Smithy
_________________
Home of the mega-red

[Mark AS]

[Deanb]

Hi All,

I have been watching this forum on all topics for quite a while but have been reluctant to become involved becasue of my position.

I work with Oeneo Closures based in Australia and I am responsible for our sales and marketing in Australia / New Zealand / China/ Japan/ India and the United Kingdom.

We supply Diam and S-Cap (the Oeneo Screwcap brand)

I have noted the various threads about Diam for a while now and just wanted to clarify this thread.

The Diam closure is not seen by us as a short term closure, the article that quotes my collegue in the USA - Eric Mercier, is a little old now and not quite up to date.

Our specification for Diam is quite simple, we say the following, I trust that this is not too technical but I think it is important;

- The specification for TCA in Diam is that each individual closure has below the quantifiable detection limit for TCA, the limit of detection is 0.5ng/l at 12% aclohol. Importantly this is not an average it applies to every Diam in the batch. We cannot say zero becasue we cannot test to zero, this is the limit of testing with GC/MS equipment.

- There is also a specification for Permeability that also applies to every Diam in a batch, the range is very narrow, meaning that wine will have consistent development from bottle to bottle. We offer two verisons with different permeabilty ratings.

- Our specification for Ageing potential is four years, we say this because this is how long our trials have been going for in the UK and for 36 months with the AWRI. By early 2006 we will say 5 years because we have the evidence to support this.


We have seen no issue with the Diam closure breaking down and we are confident of the long term potential.

In summary our specifications are based on facts not hope, when we have 10 year results we will say 10 years etc.

To my knowledge no other closure gives this sort of specification, most people assume that Screwcap will last for ever and it probably will, but it is not in the specifications, again to my knowlegde. This sort of specification certainly does not exist with traditional cork.

The other expalanations posted about the process for TCA removal cover that side pretty well. The cork flour is cleaned with Super critical Co2 then mixed with microsphers, a synthetic polymer which expands under temperature to allow a solid dense closure to be formed - in essence microsphers fills the gaps between the cork granules, it is low in its permeability and is a barrier to gas exchange. The major ingredient is cork.

The production site is in Spain and has a capacity to produce 500 million Diam per annum.

I am more than happy to answer any other questions.

Cheers and happy drinking.

Dean Banister

[gazzab]

Welcome aboard Dean, every opinion/advice/info is welcome here, adds to the diversity/knowledge of the "Forum"

Gazzab
_________________
Life's like a penis: When it's soft you can't beat it;When it's hard you get screwed.The Fat Man

[smithy]

good to see you poat Dean!

Cheers
Smithy
_________________
Home of the mega-red

[Davo]