"Pete" > wrote in message
om...
> Why take a chance "sealing" in the water behind the varnish.
> Wood finishes don't offer 100% sealing.

The fact is that a well air-dried piece of wood, sealed with varnish, is
about as good as you can do. If the wood is properly dried, there won't be
moisture trapped under the varnish. Once the varnish is thoroughly dried it
is effectively impervious to ~14% alcohol solution - at least for the time
wine will be in contact with it.

A varnished press is also a heck of a lot easier to clean than one that is
unfinished.

Tom S