A closure for a container. The closure includes a carbon dioxide emitter, and a release rate control layer that is configured to control release of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide emitter into the container when the closure is coupled to the container.

A method and device for preserving wine or other oxygen sensitive items is disclosed. In some embodiments, the device has a housing, a pressure indicator, a pressure sensor, and a one-way valve. The housing is configured to seal an opening of a wine bottle. The housing has a closure side configured to be in communication with an interior of the wine bottle. The housing has an input channel extending through the housing. The pressure sensor is within the housing and is in communication with the closure side. The one-way valve is in the input channel. The pressure sensor is configured to move the pressure indicator to an indicating position when a predetermined amount of pressure is reached at the sensor.

A method and device for preserving wine or other oxygen sensitive items is disclosed. In some embodiments, the device has a housing, a pressure indicator, a pressure sensor, and a one-way valve. The housing is configured to seal an opening of a wine bottle. The housing has a closure side configured to be in communication with an interior of the wine bottle. The housing has an input channel extending through the housing. The pressure sensor is within the housing and is in communication with the closure side. The one-way valve is in the input channel. The pressure sensor is configured to move the pressure indicator to an indicating position when a predetermined amount of pressure is reached at the sensor.

A method of preserving an oxygen sensitive item is disclosed. The method involves injecting at least 0.15 gram of an inert gas into a container comprising the oxygen sensitive item and oxygen, without raising a pressure within the container above 10 psig, to form a barrier layer of the inert gas between the oxygen sensitive item and the oxygen in the container without displacing all of the oxygen from the container.

A method of preserving an oxygen sensitive item is disclosed. The method involves injecting at least 0.15 gram of an inert gas into a container comprising the oxygen sensitive item and oxygen, without raising a pressure within the container above 10 psig, to form a barrier layer of the inert gas between the oxygen sensitive item and the oxygen in the container without displacing all of the oxygen from the container.

A method and corresponding apparatus for reduction of harshness from a fresh spirit, by controlling physico-chemical conditions. The method requires operation at a specific temperature, pressure and for required time to achieve desirable improvements n taste. To perform the method, spirit is filled into a reaction vessel, where oxygen-containing gas is introduced to maintain a pressure in a range between 0.3 to 2.0 kg/cm.sup.2. The spirit is heated slowly with continuous stirring to elevate the temperature to between 30° C. and 50° C. The same gas pressure and temperature are maintained for an extended period, e.g. one to four weeks. Analysis showed reduction in harshness and improvement in sensory attributes without affecting the levels of esters, acids and aldehydes except acetaldehyde.

A method and corresponding apparatus for reduction of harshness from a fresh spirit, by controlling physico-chemical conditions. The method requires operation at a specific temperature, pressure and for required time to achieve desirable improvements n taste. To perform the method, spirit is filled into a reaction vessel, where oxygen-containing gas is introduced to maintain a pressure in a range between 0.3 to 2.0 kg/cm.sup.2. The spirit is heated slowly with continuous stirring to elevate the temperature to between 30° C. and 50° C. The same gas pressure and temperature are maintained for an extended period, e.g. one to four weeks. Analysis showed reduction in harshness and improvement in sensory attributes without affecting the levels of esters, acids and aldehydes except acetaldehyde.

A maturation container and method of maturing spirits that incorporates a polymeric material (10) into a wall of the container. The material (10) is preferably Polylactic Acid (PLA) which has known oxygen permeation properties suited to maturation but is substantially impermeable to ethanol. Use of such a material is proposed to supplement or replace traditional wooden barrel methods of storage.

The present inventive concept relates generally to simulating the barrel aging or finishing process of alcohol-containing products in a rapid manner using various microorganisms to impart flavors and aromas during the aging or finishing process. Products and methods used in the process of aging or finishing the alcohol-containing products are also provided.

The system and methods described are directed to a distillation system and method having an evaporator tank with a wall surrounding an interior evaporator tank area. A non-oxidizing gas line is disposed at least partially outside the evaporator tank in communication with the interior evaporator tank area, wherein the non-oxidizing gas line introduces a non-oxidizing gas into the interior evaporator tank; the interior evaporator tank area is generally at or above an ambient atmospheric pressure.