Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/83237
P A CKA GING The finishing touch E Doesn't dipping in molten plastic cook the precious wines inside? No, all three providers asserted. It's a quick dip best done by skilled practitioners— and in the case of supersized bottles, only the strongest, Mike Bergin said. Just as chocolate dipping won't melt your ice cream cone, the plastic cools rapidly, with no harm done. J.F. tched bottles especially, and high-end bottles in general, call for equally impressive closures, and "wax" dipped "capsules" offer an elegant finish. No longer technically wax but an appealingly tactile plastic, it is available in many colors including metallic to complement the package. Etched Images, Bergin Glass and Monvera all offer dipping service, and Etched Images also sells the NoChip Dip by the pound. The capsules can include handy tear tabs and top stamping that recalls the seal- ing wax of old. trolled ovens, which carry them through an ascending range of heat up to 1,180°F and successively cooler temperatures until room temperature is reached. With the inks securely annealed on the glass, "You could drag them behind a car: The glass would shatter before the printing came off," said Sadegh Ghorban, co-owner and vice president of operations at Monvera. Ghorban proudly announced the acquisition of a new four-color screen-printing machine, a model FO6-CNC (computer numeri- cal control) from Italy's Fermac, which among other virtues allows printing on a variety of shapes, at a pace of 80 bottles per minute. The wax-like dips often used to finish keepsake bottles are available in dozens of eye-catching colors. In addition to screen printing, Bergin and Monvera also offer etched glass services— albeit on a smaller scale than specialist Etched Images. Bergin concentrates mostly on presentation/display bottles; Monvera is geared more toward etched stemware and glassware, which requires a more delicate process than durable wine bottles. For vintners who pride themselves on making memorable wines, these gorgeous and enduring design features may add just the touch of luxury their buyers are seeking. 40 WINES & VINES OCTOBER 2012