Filed in archive Wine Making , Wine News , Wine Tasting , Wineries by tammy on May 7, 2006

Is the wine cork soon to be a thing of past? I've seen a number references lately to wine corks and how the screw cap is taking over. Some manufacturers claim the screw cap is better. For example, Twin Fin, whom I blogged about recently, claims that "going corkless [...] eliminate the threat of cork taint." They also say that screw caps are not less expensive for wineries when bottling.

I did a little surfing around, and according to About.com's Wine site: Screw caps provide the best seal for bottled wines, and eliminate the "corked" and oxidation problem in one fell swoop. Hogue Cellars completed a 30-month study comparing natural and synthetic cork closures with the Stelvin screw caps, their findings suggest significant benefits in utilizing screw caps over either natural or synthetic cork closures. While, screw caps do diminish the drama and romance of bottle opening it is well worth the sacrifice to ensure a taint-free wine that offers consistent aging, maintained flavor and freshness with optimum quality control.

Well, maybe then there is something to this and it isn't just some kind of media hype by wine makers. One issue I do have with screw caps, though, is the experience of uncorking that you just don't get with a screw cap. There's nothing like going to a nice dinner and having the wine presentation given by the server and hearing the "pop" of the cork.

I can't help but think that is something that will be missed...tainted wine or no tainted wine.

Related Entries:

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Vilafonté Wine Videos - 05 February 2007
High Tech Wine - 23 March 2007
Americans Don't Get Corks - 16 June 2007
Corks Better For Environment Than Screwcaps - 26 July 2007
Cork Vs. Screwcap: The Debate Rages On - 06 October 2007
Man Builds Boat From Wine Corks - 11 January 2008

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Permalink: Wine Corks Getting Screwed?

Tags: cork wine

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Vote for Wine Corks Getting Screwed?:

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Rating: 9.00 out of 2 vote(s) cast.

Response from: Ivy (05/08/06 11:07am)

A girlfriend of mine, and her family, produce quality wine. The bussiness has been in their family for generations now. When I talked to her about your post she said that she despises the screw caps and would never switch from corks, explaining that much romance (!) is lost with using plastic. By the way, she said that you shouldn't have tainted wine if you use only top of the range corks.

Response from: Tammy (05/08/06 11:14am)

Thanks for posting that. I am still of the feeling that it's more media hype than a major problem in the industry. Not that it doesn't happen. Years ago while working at a small pub that served wine, I remember opening a bottle and the cork just popped right through before I could get the cork screw on it. But, that's one time from me opening many, many bottles. I agree. "Romance" is a good way to put it. How romantic is it to screw open a bottle? Ick!