A term commonly used in German-speaking countries (also steam pipe) for the ventilation shaft leading from the wine cellar upwards into the open air for the purpose of ventilation; the end of this is known as the roof pipe. The steam pipe was also used to remove the fermentation gases (carbon dioxide) produced during fermentation. The fermentation gas was also removed via the so-called fermentation grid. However, both devices are only suitable to a limited extent because the toxic carbon dioxide is heavier than air and collects at the bottom or at the lowest point. To determine the level of fermentation gas present, the extremely unsafe method of candle testing was used. The picture on the left shows a fermentation grid in the cellar door and the picture on the right shows a roof pipe at the end of the vapour pipe.
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Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)