A method of reducing haze by creating a physically stable alcoholic beverage that has been obtained via filtration and separation processes includes receiving retentate from which water has been removed, from a reverse osmosis filter system having an initial alcoholic precursor to the alcoholic beverage in a feed stream, wherein a concentration of alcohol in the retentate has reached between about 10% and 40% by volume, cooling the retentate to a temperature between about 2 degrees below a freezing point of the retentate and a freezing point of the initial alcoholic precursor to the alcoholic beverage in the feed stream, and subjecting the retentate to a clarification process that removes particles having a size of about 0.4-0.8 microns and larger to produce a clarified retentate. The clarification process includes centrifuging, filtration using a filter, and/or forming a supernate and a precipitate and then decanting the supernate.

A winemaking method comprising in the following order: A step of harvesting the grapes; A step of stripping; A step of pressing; A step of separating the must and the pomace; A step of setting aside the pomace under inert atmosphere in a first container; A step of clarifying the must into a second container; A step of recombining the pomace and the clarified must in a single container; A step of fermenting.

System for maturation of wine comprises a tank and one or more wooden barrels and flow connectors to allow circulation of maturing wine between the tank and the one or more barrels. The barrels may comprise a wooden exterior and an internal volume and a plurality of internal wooden surfaces extending inwardly of the wooden exterior into the internal volume to increase wood surface area. The barrel may be a traditional oak barrel.

System for maturation of wine comprises a tank and one or more wooden barrels and flow connectors to allow circulation of maturing wine between the tank and the one or more barrels. The barrels may comprise a wooden exterior and an internal volume and a plurality of internal wooden surfaces extending inwardly of the wooden exterior into the internal volume to increase wood surface area. The barrel may be a traditional oak barrel.

System for maturation of wine comprises a tank and one or more wooden barrels and flow connectors to allow circulation of maturing wine between the tank and the one or more barrels. The barrels may comprise a wooden exterior and an internal volume and a plurality of internal wooden surfaces extending inwardly of the wooden exterior into the internal volume to increase wood surface area. The barrel may be a traditional oak barrel.

The present invention comprises an impurities or materials trapping apparatus for separating or trapping a selected or unwanted materials such as sediment in a pourable material having sediment therein. The apparatus comprises a body having side walls between a first end and second end defining at least a recessed inner space 42, 104, 204, 286 there between for a pourable material. The apparatus includes at least one raised portion 50, 51, 55, 56, 206, 208 having a highest point, angled walls 26 connected to the side walls 7, 40 202, 220, 282 and at least one drainage aperture 16, 110, 210 located within the side walls 7, 40, 202, 220 282 or angled walls 26, 103, 203, 284. The raised portion is located at one end of the inner space and the angled walls 26 are located at a spaced distance from the raised portion. In one orientation of the apparatus, the side walls or angled walls drain at least a portion of the pourable material towards and though the drainage aperture and down to the raised portion and in another orientation of the apparatus, the drainage aperture is blocked thereby retaining any sediment. The apparatus of the present invention can be formed as part of a container or bottle and/or be part of a cap assembly. Methods of operation are also included.

The present invention comprises an impurities or materials trapping apparatus for separating or trapping a selected or unwanted materials such as sediment in a pourable material having sediment therein. The apparatus comprises a body having side walls between a first end and second end defining at least a recessed inner space 42, 104, 204, 286 there between for a pourable material. The apparatus includes at least one raised portion 50, 51, 55, 56, 206, 208 having a highest point, angled walls 26 connected to the side walls 7, 40 202, 220, 282 and at least one drainage aperture 16, 110, 210 located within the side walls 7, 40, 202, 220 282 or angled walls 26, 103, 203, 284. The raised portion is located at one end of the inner space and the angled walls 26 are located at a spaced distance from the raised portion. In one orientation of the apparatus, the side walls or angled walls drain at least a portion of the pourable material towards and though the drainage aperture and down to the raised portion and in another orientation of the apparatus, the drainage aperture is blocked thereby retaining any sediment. The apparatus of the present invention can be formed as part of a container or bottle and/or be part of a cap assembly. Methods of operation are also included.

A method for treating a fluid is provided using a particulate material in the form of a deposited layer having an upstream side and a downstream side wherein a flow of the fluid is directed through the deposited layer from the upstream to the downstream side at a first temperature. The method includes reconditioning the deposited layer and then resuming treatment of the fluid, wherein reconditioning comprises heating the deposited layer to a second temperature; and cooling the deposited layer to a third temperature at an average cooling rate in the range of up to about 20 C./min.

A disposable winemaking apparatus for fermenting wine containing skins, seeds, and stems that form a cap includes a single-use, dual chamber plastic bag that incorporates a mechanism to agitate and disperse the cap in order to maximize extraction of color and flavor. It also includes an integral press mechanism to squeeze out the fermented juice through a strainer, retaining the pomace in the disposable bag. The device may also be used for racking and transfer of wine during aging.

The present invention comprises an impurities or materials trapping apparatus for separating or trapping a selected or unwanted materials such as sediment in a pourable material having sediment therein. The apparatus comprises a body having side walls between a first end and second end defining at least a recessed inner space 42, 104, 204, 286 there between for a pourable material. The apparatus includes at least one raised portion 50, 51, 55, 56, 206, 208 having a highest point, angled walls 26 connected to the side walls 7, 40 202, 220, 282 and at least one drainage aperture 16, 110, 210 located within the side walls 7, 40, 202, 220 282 or angled walls 26, 103, 203, 284, The raised portion is located at one end of the inner space and the angled walls 26 are located at a spaced distance from the raised portion. In one orientation of the apparatus, the side walls or angled walls drain at least a portion of the pourable material towards and though the drainage aperture and down to the raised portion and in another orientation of the apparatus, the drainage aperture is blocked thereby retaining any sediment. The apparatus of the present invention can be formed as part of a container or bottle and/or be part of a cap assembly. Methods of operation are also included.