Question(s): what is the “allowable” (will get past QC) variance from the mean for fill levels on a freshly-bottled wine, if any? Which leads me to, what range of fill levels can a consumer expect to see from bottle to bottle for any given freshly-bottled wine? Are higher fills always “better?” Does a couple mm really matter at all?
A bottling line should be pretty uniform. If it isn’t, someone isn’t watching. Very high fills mean the cork is likely to push and suck air with even a modest variation in temperature. A main function of the ullage is to act like a shock absorber, ameliorating the effect of the wine expanding when the temperature rises.
-Al
I know that … I guess I’m trying to get at what “pretty uniform” is.
Brian,
I have never heard of a regulation, etc. regarding fill levels. Of course, one has to have 750 ml’s in 750 ml bottle or run the risk of running afoul of the authorities but (and here I am just assuming) there must be some sort of tolerance range that would make 749 ml passable.
Best, Jim