Using Magnets To Instantly Age Your Wine – Fact or Fiction?

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A bunch of weeks ago I asked my readers what their opinion was on the type of BBQ they prefer to use (propane, natural gas, wood or charcoal) and I was really surprised by the reaction.  There are definitely a lot of people out there who are passionate about their BBQs!

Here’s another one that I’m sure will spark some debate.

This past week I received an email from a reader who told me about some products you could buy that would age your wine 2 or 3 years within 30 minutes using magnets.

[amazon-slideshow align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" height="250" width="250"]138659cd-b99c-4dee-ae3e-5a315ef7b7c7[/amazon-slideshow]One such product is called “The Perfect Sommelier”, which consists of a decorative coaster that you would sit your bottle of wine on with magnets (presumably) inside the base.

Douglas Dubin, from The Perfect Sommelier, explains how it works:

“According to modern physics when you create a “True Magnetic Field” as we have within the confines of the Base and Top Magnets, a natural phenomenon a Flux Path is created. Within the Flux Path the Electrically Charged Molecules move imperceptibly along the path creating a bond and allowing the tannic molecules to lengthen as they would naturally when the bottle is laid down in a cellar or cave for 4-10 years. When tannins are big and aggressive they mask the fruit, by smoothing or maturing the tannins they move away from the fruit which allows the fruit to open up.

Finally all the rest of the molecules that have come out of alignment move back into alignment and rebalance allowing the bouquet to open up. You wind up with a wine that is less acidic, fruitier and has a bigger nose.”

I will freely admit that I’m a bit skeptical so decided to do some research online. It’s fair to say that there are some who truly believe it and others who think it’s a bunch of “hoey”.

I personally haven’t tried it but it has certainly peeked my interest and am curious to hear what you think.

If you’re interested in learning more about this here are some resources you can check out:

• An online discussion about wine magnets on “Drinks Planet”
• Vino Magnetism
• Magnetic Magic or Mystic Myth? Does the Perfect Sommelier Age Wine?
• What is science? First, magnetise your wine …
• 30 Second Wine Advisor: Wine magnets and snake oil
• Wine Cellar Express
• The Wine Clip (includes some TV reporters who tested it out)

Personally I’m not a big fan of “silver bullets” that promise to short-cut proven processes and therefore I’m not going to rush out and buy one of these gizmos.

That doesn’t mean though I wouldn’t be adverse to doing a taste test if the opportunity presented itself!