Have you ever been troubled by the question of whether to buy a wine with a cork  or a screw top? In fact, the way to seal wines is also a tough problem for the wineries. 

       The root of the problem lies in “cork taint.” When some wine is sealed with a bad cork, there will be cork taint. Corks are made from a special oak tree growing around the Mediterranean. In the process of making corks and sealing wine bottles, a certain type of mold may start to grow in some corks. Over time, this mold may make the wine taste musty. Since cork taint affects one out of every ten bottles of wine, no packaging industry in the world would put up with such a high rate of failure. 

       Some wine makers try to solve the problem by sealing bottles with screw tops. However, many wineries are still playing it safe and sticking to corks for two reasons. First, cork users believe a small amount of oxygen is able to penetrate corks, not screw tops, and the oxygen is necessary for the proper aging of fine wines. The other problem arises from the image screw tops have with the public. In most people’s minds, screw tops are only found on cheap, low-quality wines. In addition, there is the problem of losing the romantic mood produced by the popping of the cork. 

       For the reasons above, it will take a lot of efforts for wineries to re-educate the public if they want to change the habit of the public.

       This month Cupid takes flight because love is in the air. And this year it smells like grease and salt. A perfume thatsmells like French fries has proven to be as irresistible as the fast-food staple after selling out almost instantly. The IdahoPotato Commission (IPC) released the limited-edition fragrance – "Frites by Idaho" – just in time for Valentine's Day,and fans couldn't wait to get their hands on a bottle. Frites by Idaho is manufactured using distilled homegrown potatoesand essential oils. Whether you and your valentine are planning to have a quiet dinner at home or will be heading outfor a fancy meal on that most romantic of days, you can make sure you crave fast food the entire time with Frites byIdaho.

       Sure this sounds silly, but think of all the words and feelings you associate with both perfume and French fries:desire, alluring, intoxicating, irresistible, tasty. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. The great state ofIdaho isn't taking its novelty fragrance too seriously, either. The 1.7 fluid ounce bottle was available for the same priceas a side of fries, just US$1.89. Unfortunately, that's also why it sold out immediately on the IPC website. But don't giveup hope just yet, French fry romantics. You can enter a contest to win one of 10 bottles the state is giving away for free.Just head to the Idaho Potato Instagram page for how to enter.

      Even if you don't end up nabbing one, we have an idea. Just rub some French fries on your neck before your lovedone shows up. Just remember to make sure you let your fries cool down before you do that. Things are heating up thismonth, but hopefully not because of second degree burns.