Collective term for various wine defects with similar causes and effects. This is expressed by a distinctive smell and taste of solvents. This is the name given to liquids such as acetone, alcohol, petrol, benzene, ether or water in which other liquids, gases or solid substances can be divided or mixed as homogeneously as possible. Such mixtures can be, for example, cleaning agents, preservatives or disinfectants. They are also called pharmacy clay, chemical clay, missing clay, medical clay, nail varnish clay or pharmaceutical clay. The common feature of solvent clay faults is that solvents or other chemical substances contained in them can get into the must or wine due to mostly poor hygiene or too little care during vinification.
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Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)