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Clef du Vin
The Clef du Vin is a measuring instrument that reveals your wines' ageing potential. It works effectively on all types of wines: whites, sparkling, rosés, reds and naturally sweet wines. Dip the dot of Clef du Vin into the wine. Every second the dot is in contact with the wine is the equivalent of one year's aging.
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Basic Overview
The Clef du Vin (wine key) is a calibrated tool that instantly reveals the ageing potential of any wine.
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It allows you to assess and appreciate a good young wine, without having to wait for it to mature. |
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It is an invaluable aid in the selection of wines for cellaring, as well as in the management of the cellar. |
The Clef du Vin works by dipping its dot in the wine.
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Each second of contact = 1 potential year of cellar ageing: the effect is cumulative and non-reversible. |
It is effective on wines of all types: reds, rosés and whites (dry, dessert and sparkling).
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The "pocket" and "service" models are calibrated for a 100 ml (3.4 fl. oz.) glass. |
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The bottle model is calibrated for a 750 ml (25.4 fl. oz.) bottle or decanter. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: |
Will it turn a poor quality wine into a good one? |
| A: |
No - it’s not a magic wand. |
| Q: |
Can it make a wine, opened too young, more enjoyable? |
| A: |
Yes, in most cases. Poor quality wines or wines with no ageing potential may not be affected, or may be negatively affected. |
| Q: |
Is ageing with the Clef du Vin identical to bottle ageing? |
| A: |
No - that is impossible. Clef du Vin can only reveal the ageing potential of a wine and help expose many of its intended flavours and aromas. |
| Q: |
Can a wine be over-exposed to the Clef du Vin dot? |
| A: |
Yes – just as a wine can be over-aged in the bottle, so too can it be over-aged with Clef du Vin and turn bad. |
| Q: |
What do you mean by “Clef du Vin is a calibrated tool”? |
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This refers to the size of the dot with each model:
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The pocket and service models are both calibrated for a 100 ml / 3.4 oz glass of wine.
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The bottle model is calibrated for a full 750 ml bottle of wine.
For the stated volume of wine, one second of contact between the wine and the dot is equivalent to one year’s ageing. |
| Q: |
How does the Clef du Vin work? |
| A: |
The dot, a patented alloy of metals, acts as a catalyst. It rapidly accelerates the oxygen reduction process, specifically targeting the tannins of a red wine and the acids of both red and white wines. As tannins and acids soften, a wine becomes more enjoyable; its aromas and flavours, normally revealed with age, can be revealed. |
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Does the Clef du Vin add anything to the wine? |
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No - it is a catalyst only, therefore loses nothing of itself in its function. |
| Q: |
Is there a warranty on Clef du Vin? |
| A: |
Yes - Clef du Vin is guaranteed to be effective for life. |
| Q: |
How do I care for my Clef du Vin? |
| A: |
Simply rinse it in warm water and dry with a soft towel. Do not use detergents or solvents and do not place in the dishwasher. |
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