Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2023 July 30

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July 30

Red wine

A wine distributor told me something unusual in the store today. She said that cheap red wine (cheap is anything under US$50 according to her!) has coloring added to it that can stain your teeth, but more expensive wine does not. Is there any truth to this bubbe meise or am I just as gullible as I look? Viriditas (talk) 08:51, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Not in Australian wine. There could be rare exceptions, but I've worked in several wineries, visited a lot more, and have been collecting knowledge on the industry for more than half a century. HiLo48 (talk) 09:40, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Agreed. The only time I ever heard about something close to this idea, was the buzz about the Chinese counterfeit wine controversy a few years before the pandemic. In that instance, there was apparently an Asian black market for expensive wine (because the Chinese were buying a lot of it, but the wineries couldn't make enough, so the story goes), and according to that tale, coloring would be added to match the style and type. There were several notable articles about the phenomenon. Viriditas (talk) 10:02, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

The federal regulation Materials authorized for the treatment of wine and juice has a specific list. The list includes tannin, but "Only tannin which does not impart color may be used in the cellar treatment of juice or wine".  Card Zero  (talk) 11:20, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Thanks. Apparently, tannins are implicated as the leading cause of tooth stains. Viriditas (talk) 11:52, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

There was also the 1985 Austrian diethylene glycol wine scandal, but wines made or imported into the EU are very strictly regulated now. From May this year, all additives which are, or potentially might be used have to be described on the label (these seem to be mainly ‘acidity regulators’ and ‘stabilising agents’ as well as carbon dioxide for fizz). [1] I couldn't find any mention of added colouring. Alansplodge (talk) 16:25, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Except, tannins are also present in wine even if not added. So, the wine shop could just be bullshitting you (if you give me more of your money, you'll get better wine. I'm sure they have no ulterior motive there!). See also Phenolic content in wine which discusses the matter. --Jayron32 12:29, 31 July 2023 (UTC)

Thank you. It's times like these that I have to admire Wikipedia as a wonderful resource. I will read that article in full tomorrow morning. Viriditas (talk) 08:54, 1 August 2023 (UTC)

Viriditas, I lived in the Napa Valley AVA for nearly 30 years, befriended many winemakers, toured many wineries, and attended many public events where wines were served and discussed. The wine business is a major influence on everyday life there. I never once heard any discussion about adding coloring to red wines. Also, the notion that a bottle of wine priced at less than $50 is doctored and not worth drinking is absurd. A large majority of California wine sells for less than $50 a bottle, and most of it is quite good. Cullen328 (talk) 23:01, 5 August 2023 (UTC)

Agreed. The claims seem so outlandish, almost bordering on comedy. Perhaps she thinks lying to customers is a valid sales tactic. Maybe she sold cars before this? Viriditas (talk) 23:06, 5 August 2023 (UTC)

Jubilee Manufacturing Company \Omaha, Nebraska

It seams like this American Icon company in Omaha, Nebraska just vanished off the face of the earth. 1905 until roughly 1980. They made a lot of OEM Horns for vehicles of many types. It sort of appears that they folded due to not paying their taxes. But why, couldn't they have left the company to a family member or something. What happened to them. A lot of car collectors are collecting their horns and their is no information on them. I just bought a new 1980's jubilee model 101 horn that takes cartridges and I have no idea how to get some. Me and a lot of collectors would like to know the story of this company and their is very little information to be found? 74.70.8.221 (talk) 09:44, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

It appears that the company is inactive but has not formally been dissolved.^[2] Some nostalgic glimpses are offered here and here.  --Lambiam 11:51, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

To the OP, what kind of cartridge does your horn need? Philvoids (talk) 13:10, 31 July 2023 (UTC)

I'm guessing the OP will take any cartridge. It seems the cartridges played different tunes depending on the cartridge inserted. Kinda like a game console. See https://rochester.craigslist.org/wan/d/batavia-wanted-jubilee-electric-music/7648342785.html for what it looked like. 41.23.55.195 (talk) 05:26, 1 August 2023 (UTC)

Contacting scrap dealers could be a good option. You might be able to source a component from a car that's otherwise junk. Blythwood (talk) 17:33, 31 July 2023 (UTC)