This invention relates to a bottle closure assembly (10) for use in the efficient production of sparkling wines. The invention comprises: a stopper (12) for sealing engagement within the finish and/or neck portion(s) of a bottle (100); a passage (18) within said stopper extending longitudinally from a wine-side opening (20) at one end thereof; and a valve member (30) located within said passage. The valve member is selectively gravity-responsive thus allowing passage of liquid and/or solid and/or gaseous materials to be permitted or prevented dependent upon the orientation of the bottle closure assembly. This invention also discloses a disgorgement method for use in the production of sparkling wines.

An apparatus for modifying a responsive liquid held in a barrel or other liquid container includes a transducer for producing vibration energy within the audio frequency range in response to an audio signal input and a coupler affixed to the transducer such that vibration energy produced in the transducer is transferred to the coupling device. The coupling device has a pusher end that extends beyond the front plane of the transducer and that contacts and pushes against the barrel wall when the apparatus is tied to the barrel wall. By determining the resonances of the liquid-filled barrel, audio input signals having sufficiently high levels at determined resonant frequencies can be chosen to achieve a maximum response in the liquid contained in the barrel. The apparatus is particularly suited for the sonic aging of whisky.

A beverage gasification system for concurrently extracting solid particulates from a solution of a liquid and a gas and increasing absorption of the gas into the liquid, in which a particle separator is located downstream of a gas supply assembly. A method of forming a clarified gasified beverage is also disclosed, in which gas is injected into the liquid at a location upstream of the point at which solids are removed from the liquid.

A beverage gasification system for concurrently extracting solid particulates from a solution of a liquid and a gas and increasing absorption of the gas into the liquid, in which a particle separator is located downstream of a gas supply assembly. A method of forming a clarified gasified beverage is also disclosed, in which gas is injected into the liquid at a location upstream of the point at which solids are removed from the liquid.

A method is provided for more effectively agitating a vibration responsive liquid in a container to enhance the qualities of the liquid. Vibration energy that is within the audio frequency spectrum and that corresponds to one or more resonant frequencies of the liquid filled container is coupled to the wall of the container. One or more vibration responsive sensors deployed in or on a container containing the vibration responsive liquid are used to determine the container's resonant frequencies. The method is particularly used in the aging of alcoholic beverages.