Nitrogen-Infused Sparkling Wine Texture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winemaking processes struggle to maintain the quality and texture of sparkling wine, often resulting in a harsh carbonation that affects the wine's overall character.
Innovation Solution
Infusing wine with a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, using a nitrogen dosing system during bottling or canning, to achieve a softer, frothier texture and a cascading effect when poured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carbon dioxide is infused into wine to create sparkling wine, then the wine gains a fizzy and effervescent quality, but the carbonation becomes harsh and affects the wine's overall character
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the gas composition by introducing nitrogen alongside carbon dioxide. By adjusting the ratio of CO2 to N2 (e.g., 60:40 to 80:20), the patent modifies the carbonation characteristics to achieve softer, frothier texture while maintaining the desired effervescence. This parameter change transforms the harsh carbonation into a more pleasant drinking experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gas system by combining carbon dioxide and nitrogen in specific proportions. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both gases: CO2 provides the effervescent quality while N2 contributes to a softer, frothier texture. The composite gas mixture resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functional characteristics into a single infusion system.
2Reliability
If nitrogen is used to reduce oxidation effects in winemaking, then wine quality improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing nitrogen into the wine before final packaging. The nitrogen infusion is performed during the bottling or canning process, allowing the inert gas to protect the wine from oxidation during storage and transport. This timing ensures that the protective effect is established before the wine reaches the consumer, improving quality without requiring complex continuous monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nitrogen as an intermediary substance that facilitates wine quality improvement without directly altering the wine's chemical composition. By introducing N2 as a protective intermediary gas, the system prevents oxidation and enhances texture while maintaining a relatively simple process architecture. The nitrogen acts as a mediator between the winemaking process and the final product quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If carbon dioxide is used to create sparkling wine, then the wine gains effervescence, but the foam and head characteristics are less creamy and frothy compared to nitrogen-infused beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the gas composition parameters by incorporating nitrogen at ratios ranging from 20% to 40% alongside carbon dioxide. This parameter adjustment fundamentally changes the foam and head characteristics, producing a creamier, frothier texture that is visually and texturally appealing. The nitrogen content directly influences the stability and appearance of the wine's head, transforming it from a simple effervescent liquid to a more complex, appetizing foam structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combination of CO2 and N2 pressurization generates a sparkling wine with a desired softer, frothier texture and a beautiful cascading effect, enhancing the consumer experience.
Implementation Method 1
carbonation in the tank
Implementation Method 2
The step of infusing the wine with carbon dioxide can result in the carbon dioxide infused wine in the tank having a pressure in the range of 15-30 psi
Implementation Method 3
The step of infusing the wine with nitrogen in the individual package can be performed using a nitrogen dosing system
Implementation Method 4
The step of infusing the carbon dioxide infused wine in the individual package can result in the carbon dioxide and nitrogen infused wine in the individual package having a pressure in the range of 35-50 psi
Implementation Method 5
sparging involves introducing fine gas bubbles of nitrogen to the bottom of a holding container and rise through the wine, enabling previously dissolved gases (e.g., oxygen or carbon dioxide) to transfer back into their gaseous states and rise to the top
Implementation Method 6
Nitrogen can also be used for 'blanketing' to displace oxygen in the top of a wine holding container
Implementation Method 7
the sugar in the grapes is consumed by yeast yielding ethanol and carbon dioxide during the fermentation process
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide and nitrogen infused wine product includes wine infused with both carbon dioxide and nitrogen. A ratio of carbon dioxide to nitrogen in the wine can be in a range of 80% CO2/20% N2-60% CO2/40% N2.


