Filtration

Filtering a wine is like straining a stock. The cook wants to filter sufficiently to have a 'clean' stock, but not so finely so as to strip away flavors. Filtering a wine performs two functions - it clarifies the wine and it removes bacteria which may cause the wine to fall apart. Many top wines are bottled unfiltered. The buyer should pay strict attention to the storage and shipping conditions of these wines, as excessive heat can cause spoilage.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 1999

Answers

If filtering the wine makes the wine clear and gets rid of nasty bacteria, why are many "top" wines bottled unfiltered?

-- Anonymous, September 17, 1999

Many top wines are bottled unfiltered, so as not to 'strip' flavors from the wine.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 1999