Irrespective of the shape of glass into which a wine is poured, a new product called the zNose̫ from Electronic Sensor Technology, is supposed to detect the principal contaminant behind cork taint, TCA, as well as an experienced wine taster. Its makers claim that the zNose̫ can detect 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) in wine aroma at part-per-trillion (ppt) levels in 10 seconds. Apparently the zNose̫ was tested on wines deemed by certain Californian wine experts to contain TCA contamination and was able to identify and quantify the concentration of TCA ‘in every case’. I agree with the makers of the zNose̫ that the availability of an electronic nose with the ability to maintain product quality at the part-per-trillion level is a significant breakthrough for the wine industry, provided of course, that it really works. Personally, I’d take one to the Champagne houses whose management and travelling spruikers have told me with classic Gallic conviction that their wines never get cork taint, which of course is nothing other than a New World red herring! Importantly, and again provided it works, an electronic nose would be ideal to detect and screen bottles, containers and even wine cellars for TCA, since I’ve no doubt that there’s truth in the cork industry’s repeated claim that they’re not the only guilty party with respect to TCA.
