An Interesting Wine Recall Notice

Though not local to California, I found this wine recall notice a bit interesting.  Be sure to read to the end to see what was wrong with the wine and the explosive effects.

From my friend’s at Bishop’s Cellar:
 
July 5th, 2010

After a busy holiday weekend, we hope everyone is settling into their summer routine and enjoying the beautiful weather.

As many of you may be aware, Benjamin Bridge has recalled all bottlesof Nova 7 sold to Bishop’s Cellar, Premier Wine & Spirits, Vin Art(Harvest Wines and Spirits) for full refund. Although there has beenprior communication regarding this recall, PLEASE READ AGAIN BELOW…

Although your bottle of Nova 7 may appear fine, the condition of allaffected bottles has been reported to change overnight. Hence, we aretreating all bottles of Nova 7 as affected. Flawed bottles of Nova 7will display cloudiness and excessive carbonation. In many instances,this pressure from the carbonation has actually caused the product toexplode and shatter the glass bottle.  In the interest of your safetywe ask you to PLEASE OPEN OR CONSUME your bottle of Nova 7IMMEDIATELY. 

HANDLE WITH CAUTION

If opening your bottle, please use caution as there may be asignificant degree of pressure that has built up within the bottle. Forthe safety of our employees handling these returns, we also ask you toPLEASE REFRAIN FROM TRANSPORTING FULL, UNOPENED BOTTLES OF NOVA 7.Instead, please pour out your bottle and return the empty bottle forfull refund.  With a week of hot weather ahead (and heat acting as amajor catalyst for bottles to explode) we do not want anyone to takeunnecessary safety risks in returning their affected bottle.

If you are uncomfortable with opening and disposing of your bottle ofBenjamin Bridge Nova 7, please contact Benjamin Bridge Winery atwines@benjaminbridge.com or 902-542-1560 to arrange for the pickup andrefund of your unopened bottles.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for patience and understanding with this matter.

Bishop’s Cellar
1477 Lower Water St.
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3Z4
902-490-2675 (CORK)
info@bishopscellar.com

And the news release I requested from their contact:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 (Gaspereau, Nova Scotia) – Benjamin Bridge has implemented a product recall on a small portion of its 2009 vintage of NOVA 7. Tracing the affected wine to Bishop’s Cellar, Premier Wine & Spirits, Vin Art (Harvest Wines &
Spirits) and several customers who purchased directly from Benjamin Bridge, the company is stepping up its recall efforts because the company has had several individual customers report bottles exploding. The 2009 Nova 7 sold to the NSLC and Cristall &
Luckett Wine Merchants is unaffected and perfectly safe.

Customers with any remaining bottles of 2009 Nova 7 purchased at Bishop’s Cellar, Premier Wine & Spirits, or Vin Art are being asked to contact Benjamin Bridge at 902 542-1560 or wines@benjaminbridge.com  – so pick up and refund can be arranged.  

According to Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, Benjamin Bridge’s winemaker, “consuming the affected wine is not at all harmful, however any potential for a bottle to explode is a safety concern that we take very seriously. We have a reasonable belief that most of the
wine that could be affected has already been consumed, but we want to ensure that not a single bottle remains in the public that could pose a risk.”

The affected wine displays cloudiness or even excessive effervescence. This problem has arisen because Benjamin Bridge deliberately chooses not to use strong chemical preservatives and stabilizers that would diminish the wine’s delicacy and freshness of
flavour. “Our priority, as a winery, is to ensure our wines are premium quality, beautiful expressions of the land,” says Deslauriers. “To this end, we grow our fruit organically and employ the most natural and gentle of winemaking methods, consistent
with quality standards for leading makers of fine wines around the world.  We remain committed to the highest standards of winemaking.” 

NOVA 7 by Benjamin Bridge became an instant hit among Nova Scotians when it debuted in 2008 and the public eagerly awaited the release of the 2009 vintage in early May this year. With this latest vintage, NOVA 7 has again received rave reviews from both consumers and wine professionals and may still be purchased at select NSLC stores around Nova Scotia.