Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/95545
WineEast Winemaking Albrigi uses computerized equipment and robotics to weld and then pressurize the seams joining different steel plates and parts. On the left, the seam between the stainless steel tank and the tank head is being pressed by a computerized roller. On the right, a technician inspects the pressing of the vertical seam inside a large tank. New tank options for eastern wineries Albrigi, a company located outside Verona, Italy, is about to enter eastern North America's winery market with its custom- made tanks. The company's main focus in Italy has been to produce quality stainless steel tanks for small wine producers with specific needs. The company produces tanks ranging from 100 liters to hundreds of hectoliters in size, although the largest tanks are not exported outside of Italy. In Europe, environmental regulations concerning the disposal of wastewater and the level of cleanliness of water are very strict (more so than in the United States.) Tanks by Albrigi are constructed using welding and finishing processes that result in interior surfaces that are so smooth the tanks can be cleaned using only hot water, with no chemicals added. Tanks are a major EasternWineLab_Mar09.qxp 1/22/09 9:47 AM Page 1 investment for a winery and last for a long time. U.S. regulations concerning water quality may become stricter, and even now wineries are increasingly trying to follow the best practices for the environment. At Albrigi, technical details are viewed as being critical in making a quality tank. The gauge of metal must be heavy enough that the tank will not deform, and stainless steel finishes must be smooth enough that tartrates will not stick. Cooling jackets have to be constructed so that welds holding them in place don't fail under high pressure (>5 bar.) Albrigi offers tank configurations and accessories to maximize utility for every size of tank. Owner Stefano Albrigi told Wine East that tank accessories can be more important than the tank itself. Winemakers need to know the technologies they want, and Albrigi can provide the necessary accessories. EASTERN WINE LABS Serving the Analytical needs of East Coast Wineries WWW.EASTERNWINELABS.COM Ph 609-859-4302 Cell 609-668-2854 chemist@easternwinelabs.com AOAC Member Tank configurations include delestage, pump over, batonnage and cold stability. Other accessories allow techniques such as headspace inerting, which uses manifold inert gas systems. The company designs a range of special accessory features for racking and the management of headspace. Albrigi tanks for small wineries Eurotank: This line of tanks was specially designed for small to medium-sized wineries and includes 90 different product models. These tanks, ranging in size from 3 to 60hl, are constructed using AISI 304L and 316L stainless steel and have mirror polished interiors. The inner welds are rolled and rounded so the tank is "self- washing." Tank accessories are made using rounded and self-cleaning sheet metal shapes. This line of tanks includes: Latest wine news u Live comments u Data Center u Archive search u NEWS SITE WWW.WINESANDVINES.COM 64 WINES & VINES DECEMBER 2012