RESTAURANT
UPDATE
Wines by the Glass 5 Wine Preservation Options for Restaurants and Bars
In this issue of Restaurant Update Magazine, we take a look at a handful of options available for UK restaurants and bars to keep their wines fresher for longer when serving wines by the glass: 1. Handheld Vacuum Pumps
2. Dispensing Machines Fast forward to the 21st century and you can now outfit your restaurant or bar with fancy, high-tech machines that try to do everything for you, including push button pouring, chilling at the right temperature, and preserving bottles with large tanks of argon gas.
One of the oldest wine preservation gadgets, the handheld “vacuum” pump, has been a staple in many kitchen drawers since 1986 and can still be found in some restaurants and bars to this day. The concept made sense - pump air out of the bottle in an effort to create a vacuum. Users loved the personal satisfaction felt from pumping until you hear that famous “click”!
Some can even be extended to allow customers to walk up, insert a credit card, and serve themselves! But they are not cheap - we’re talking thousands of pounds.
But in reality, they don’t really create a true vacuum, so you’re still leaving more than enough air in the bottle to allow for oxidation. In fact, an increasing number of experts say they do more harm than good as the pumping actually strips some of the precious aromas from above the wine.
The argon keeps bottles well p r e s e r ve d , b u t i n s t a l l a t i o n considerations can be complex, and definitely the most expensive option out there. Enomatic | Italy | enomatic.it
Handheld vacuum pumps are pretty simple to use, very cheap, but not effective.
Simplicity
Simplicity
Affordability
Affordability
Vacu Vin | Netherlands | vacuvin.com
Effectiveness
Effectiveness
38 PAGE Beer & Wine