Napa, Calif.—Vicard Generation 7 announced it has partnered with Dr. Marie-Laure Murat, an enological research consultant based in Bordeaux, France. Murat will work with the barrel maker to quantify the relationship between oak and wood tannin potential combined with Vicard Generation 7's patented "molecular cooking process" as well as the effect of tannin levels on aromatic preservation. Murat holds a Ph.D from the University of Bordeaux and helped establish the Sarco Laboratory while working with the Laffort Group.