Acid Reducing Ring? - does it exist?!

[lizardbrains]

I work at a large-chain home supplies store, and today someone asked me if we carry the following: a thing that goes around a wine bottle to reduce the acidity of the wine as well as to age it. I had no idea what she was talking about (but I am picturing something similar to the insultated thing that goes around the bottle to cool it). I would assume they don't exist, but she says her friend has one, but doesn't remember where she bought it.

Do any of you know what this lady is talking about? Have you used it? Where did you buy it? I'm baffled!

[Kcwhippet]

Here we go again, folks. Liz, the device you're referring to is, quite plainly, a fraud. These devices have come around every so often, and none of them work, for a few reasons. There are some patents on these devices, and they all say that these devices are intended to "alter the perception" of acid and tannin in the wine. The magnets work by causing the tannins to clump together, which gives the impression that the wine has become smoother from aging, but in a naturally aged wine the tannins actually form long chains. Also, many other things are happening chemically to the wine as it ages that these magnet devices can't mimic. When the magnets are removed from the bottle, the tannin clumps fall apart and you're left with the same wine you started with. I could go on and on about this subject, but the fact remains, all of these devices are out and out frauds.

[winoweenie]

KC you smmoth talkin' dude. Couldn't have said it no-how better my-very-own self. WW

[Thomas]

KC, thanks for explaining that one; I never knew how that fraud worked.

[winoweenie]

Foodie ole'-cock-ole'-bean. Worked very simple....you send in the money, they send you a worthless piece of CA-CA, jes' like all scams. WW

[lizardbrains]

Thanks for explaining that one to me! I didn't think what she was saying could be true, but her friend had one, so it made me wonder. Well, now I know what to say to people when they ask!