The Clef du Vin was invented 10 years ago by winemaker and chemist , Laurant Zanon, in collaboration with top sommelier Franck Thomas (Best Craftsman of France, Best Sommelier of France and Europe 2000). As a winemaker, Laurant needed an instrument to help him decide when is the right moment to do whatever he needs to do during the wine making process. Laurant uses the Clef du Vin as follows: “If the wine in the vats is in “reduction” (closed smells of sulphur, marzipan, or even rotten eggs) I fill a 10cl glass and dip the Clef du Vin in for 2 seconds. If the reduction persists, I need to intervene (rack the wine). If not, I can wait”
Besides its use in the cellar, the Clef du Vin is an essential and informative instrument for the wine enthusiast, wine buyer or sommelier as it can assist with the following:
- Only buy wines that will age well or wines you know need to be drunk within the year.
- Know how long your wines can lay down for. Reassess your wine cellar
- Drink a young wine today
The Clef du Vin was first demonstrated in Cape Town in November 2004, by co-inventor Franck Thomas at the Classic Wine Trophy prize-giving of which he was the senior judge. Members of the media and wine makers who attended the function had the opportunity to experiment with the Clef du Vin.
The Clef du Vin has been endorsed by respected people in the wine industry globally. It received the Medaille D’Argent Award at the Concours Lepine International in Paris in 2004. For more information on this and the product please look at the website www.clef-du-vin.com
Due to the positive and overwhelming response, Grapevine Concepts has imported the Clef du Vin from France to sell on the local market. We offer both the Service and pocket model. Available from leading wine shops nationwide.
For details and cost please contact either of the following:
Mike Bampfield-Duggan (021) 671-9030 or 082 557 1319 michael@wineconcepts.co.za
Barbara Spencer 082 783 8917 bspencer@mweb.co.za
“Clef du Vin is the hottest accessory on the tasting circuit” – Time Magazine