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Index:Wine Forum: Corks, screwcaps and synthetic corks. Does it matter?  New Post
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rickie
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Quote  Posted: 09/28/2004 6:04:27 PM GMT Next MessageTop of Page
I wonder whether the type of closure used in wine bottles really matters or not. I mean here in England we have bottles with screwcaps, natural corks and synthetic corks and I heard only natural cork can ensure a good keeping of wine.
Is this just a prejudice or can synthetic corks and screcaps be used in place of natural corks?
Are there any advantages or drawbacks? What do you guys think about this?
Richard Johnson
jc
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Quote  Posted: 09/30/2004 4:13:16 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
While the current research cannot conclude about screwcaps NOT being able to store wines as well as the cork stopper, overwhelming results has proven that screwcaps or "stelwyns" is definitely better in the prevention of TCA (cork taint).

So far, screwcaps are the best in comparison with synthetics which emits a certain plastic smell in the wine.

The only prejudice is that there are still people who perceive screwtops as invented to "save costs" and it is only meant for "cheap" or mediocre wines. I don't believe this to be true at all.

The problem with people is that they just fear change. Screwtops are better for wines. Until further research shows otherwise, I support the use of screwcaps.

Cheers.
antonello
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Quote  Posted: 09/30/2004 9:50:47 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
I personally have no prejudice for synthetic corks, however I believe they are not suited for every type of wine. The problem with synthetic corks is that they cannot provide good conditions for the aging of wines because the reductive effect is too strong. In my opinion synthetic corks are very welcome in white wines which are usually consumed within two years and, after all, you can get rid of TCA and therefore cork smell.
The same considerations applies to screwcaps, even though many wieries are using these closures already, I still believe they are suited for wines to be consumed within two years. With screwcaps we can say goodbye to corkscrews and I think many sommeliers will be fired for this! No need for the ceremony of the opening of a bottle: a simple movement of the wrist and the show is over.
Talking about costs, synthetic corks are cheaper than many natural corks, but they usually are more expensive than bad natural corks which are pretty common in low quality wines. According to my experience, I can tell in many excellent wines are being used synthetic corks and I do not care about that, what counts to me is the quality of the wine in the bottle.
As for "plastic smell" in wine, we all should remember the term "synthetic cork" is very general and there are currently tens of different compositions for these corks, so quality exists for synthetic corks as well. The best ones do not emit any plastic smell to wine.
I don't care whether they use synthetic corks in white wines and in red wines to be aged for a maximum of two years, however I strongly expect natural corks in any quality wine which is supposed to stand to aging for some years.
Antonello Biancalana
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wineguy
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Quote  Posted: 10/01/2004 5:55:48 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
I have no problems with plastic corks although I admit I prefer natural corks instead. I can tell they are getting more and more popular and I think they will be accepted by consumers soon or later.
I have never seen a bottle with a screwcap yet and I do not think I would have problems with that as well. I agree with jc when we says people is afraid of changes while they should understand these corks could be very useful against TCA taint.
I have no idea about costs, but according to Antonello it seems their cost is acceptable e practically the same as regular corks. And, after all, I think what counts the most is the wine you pour in your glass.
Steve
joergwein
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Quote  Posted: 10/05/2004 6:12:11 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
I have no problems with synthetic corks. After all they are what the technology is giving us in order to improve a product while avoiding some faults to happen. I think we should welcome synthetic corks because they completely avoid the problem of cork taint and everyone of you know what kind of disappointment it is when you fid your favorite wine to smell corky.
As long as I am concerned, and this is also confirmed by facts, producers are using synthetic corks for white wines and red wines to be drunk within one or two years from release. Expensive wines suited for long aging in bottle are all using natural corks.
I do not know about screcaps as I have never seen a bottle of wine capped with this type of clorure, however to be confident, I do not like this solution that much!
Jörg - A passion for Italian wine!
miclan
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Quote  Posted: 10/07/2004 6:05:37 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
I do not think I have problems with synthetic corks but I think I would have some with corkscrews! I can't believe they are using corkscrews for wines!! I don't know why, but I do not like the idea. Uncorking a bottle of wine is an art and it is also nice to see the ceremony of the opening, I can't imagine all this can be replaced by a simple movement of the wrist!
Michele Landolfi
cathy
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Quote  Posted: 10/14/2004 4:48:01 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
Here in the US synthetic corks are getting more and more popular. I do not think synthetic corks are a problem and I think they are a good idea. After all we all get upset when we find a corky wine, so we should be happy if they invented something that can eliminate this problem. I do not have the same feeling for screwcaps, though. I do not like the idea you can open a bottle in few seconds instead of using a corkscrew and setting everything right in order to uncork it properly.
Cathy
jimmy
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Quote  Posted: 02/01/2005 6:28:03 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
To be confident with you, I do not like synthetic corks that much. I don't know, but it seems to be they are less than natural cork and I understand this it a sort of disappointment whenever I see them in a bottle of wine. I understand I may be wrong and synthetic corks may be useful against cork smells, but I love the real thing. Talking about screwcaps, I have never seen one in any bottle of wine and, however, this solution does not like me at all. Wine is not mineral water!!
jc
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Quote  Posted: 02/02/2005 3:49:37 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jimmy wrote:
To be confident with you, I do not like synthetic corks that much. I don't know, but it seems to be they are less than natural cork and I understand this it a sort of disappointment whenever I see them in a bottle of wine. I understand I may be wrong and synthetic corks may be useful against cork smells, but I love the real thing. Talking about screwcaps, I have never seen one in any bottle of wine and, however, this solution does not like me at all. Wine is not mineral water!!


Screwcaps and synthetic corks have both been used in various parts of the wine producing countries in the world since the 80s, I believe scewcaps are getting more popular with wines meant for drinking young. They are popular in Australia, N Zealand and USA, particularly with white wines to prevent TCA.

I am not saying that scewcaps are for every wines or if they are the solution to TCA but they sure are a good alternative to some wines. I am surprised you have not yet seen a screwcapped bottle of wine.

antonella
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Quote  Posted: 02/08/2005 6:54:57 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jimmy wrote:

I am not saying that scewcaps are for every wines or if they are the solution to TCA but they sure are a good alternative to some wines. I am surprised you have not yet seen a screwcapped bottle of wine.


screwcaps are not widely used in italy. to be honest, i've never seen a srewcapped bottle of wine but for very very low quality ones. maybe this is one of the reasons why "qualified" producers don't consider screwcaps at all.
i appreciate synthetic corks for young wines: no TCA an no corkcrumbs in my glass!! I am not that good as a sommelier...

antonellA (not antonello: I suppose he is a good sommelier!)
jc
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Quote  Posted: 02/10/2005 3:09:21 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
antonella wrote:
jimmy wrote:

I am not saying that scewcaps are for every wines or if they are the solution to TCA but they sure are a good alternative to some wines. I am surprised you have not yet seen a screwcapped bottle of wine.
(I thought I wrote this! it's jc not jimmy)

screwcaps are not widely used in italy. to be honest, i've never seen a srewcapped bottle of wine but for very very low quality ones. maybe this is one of the reasons why "qualified" producers don't consider screwcaps at all.
i appreciate synthetic corks for young wines: no TCA an no corkcrumbs in my glass!! I am not that good as a sommelier...

antonellA (not antonello: I suppose he is a good sommelier!)



Ciao Antonella,

I think you are a pretty conservative wine drinker. Although I am aware that the majority of wine with screwcap closures are low to medium priced and quality, I know some very excellent wine with screwcap stoppers.

I can tell you that these wines are not cheap in quality and certainly not cheap in price either.

FYI, you can prevent cork crumbs by first wiping with a dry, clean cloth after the cork is removed from the bottle. However, you may wish to know that screw tops can also prevent the crumbs in your wine.

Cheers!
jc
antonella
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Quote  Posted: 02/12/2005 8:48:11 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jc wrote:
Ciao Antonella,

I think you are a pretty conservative wine drinker. Although I am aware that the majority of wine with screwcap closures are low to medium priced and quality, I know some very excellent wine with screwcap stoppers.

I can tell you that these wines are not cheap in quality and certainly not cheap in price either.jc


ciao jc
I was just illustrating how things are going here: qualified wineshops don't sell srewcapped bottled of wine. top italian wine producers don't use screwcaps - for national market at least - so I am simply not used to. maybe things are going to change... who never knows.
anyway I am quite a conservatve wine lover, you are right! I appreciate old fashioned natural corks for high quality long life red wines.

sorry for my wrong quoting!

bye
antonella
antonello
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Quote  Modified: 02/15/2005 6:34:28 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
antonella wrote:
ciao jc
I was just illustrating how things are going here: qualified wineshops don't sell srewcapped bottled of wine. top italian wine producers don't use screwcaps - for national market at least - so I am simply not used to. maybe things are going to change... who never knows.
anyway I am quite a conservatve wine lover, you are right! I appreciate old fashioned natural corks for high quality long life red wines.

sorry for my wrong quoting!

bye
antonella

Antonella is right about what she said concerning the Italian market, maybe because we both live in Italy and we both see what it is going on in wine shops. And jc may be also right when he says Antonella (I should add we Italians) is a bit conservative about this issue.
Here in Italy screcaps are only used for bulk wines and jug wines, something which is barely considered wine by connoisseurs.
No quality winery is currently using screcaps in their wines and this is because they probably know the wine would be considered negatively by consumers. The same problem is true for some wines with synthetic corks. Here in Italy not all consumers are prone to accept synthetic corks yet and this is seen as a detrimental factor for quality.
Of course we know synthetic corks may have some advantages over natural corks, although this is true for some styles of wines only. Anyway not all people is accepting synthetic corks, at least, not yet.
Antonello Biancalana
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jc
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Quote  Posted: 02/17/2005 6:48:37 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
Hello Antonella,

Great to know what's happening on the other side of the globe! I think this forum is a wonderful medium of communication and exchange of views/ ideas from around the world. Given an opportunity, I would love to visit Italy and experience the culture (including wine, of course) to see first hand. For now, this forum is the next best thing. Thanks for your input.

Thanks to Antonello too for supporting Antonella's views on Italian wine culture. It is an "ear-opening" experience for me!

Cheers!
jc
antonello
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Quote  Posted: 02/18/2005 5:59:08 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jc wrote:
Hello Antonella,

Great to know what's happening on the other side of the globe! I think this forum is a wonderful medium of communication and exchange of views/ ideas from around the world. Given an opportunity, I would love to visit Italy and experience the culture (including wine, of course) to see first hand. For now, this forum is the next best thing. Thanks for your input.

Thanks to Antonello too for supporting Antonella's views on Italian wine culture. It is an "ear-opening" experience for me!

Cheers!
jc

This is what EnoForum is supposed to be for. To share experiences, knowledge and opinions, to grow up all together. There will always be benefits for everyone if we cooperate and share what we are and what we have instead of keeping secrets and closing our doors to the others. Sharing and understanding other's differences means getting richer and growing up therefore preventing useless conflicts. And wine may help us to understand each other better: whenever you share a common passion and view, it is easier to get along...
Antonello Biancalana
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jc
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Quote  Posted: 02/25/2005 2:49:36 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
Well said, Antonello..... However, I find the enoforum a bit quiet at times.... hope there is more traffic and interaction.


jc
rickie
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Quote  Posted: 02/25/2005 6:13:49 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jc wrote:
Great to know what's happening on the other side of the globe! I think this forum is a wonderful medium of communication and exchange of views/ ideas from around the world. Given an opportunity, I would love to visit Italy and experience the culture (including wine, of course) to see first hand. For now, this forum is the next best thing. Thanks for your input.

I too would love to visit Italy as I would truly love to see the many places where famous wines are made. To my top list are Piedmont (Barolo and Barbaresco), Veneto (Amarome), Tuscany (Brunello) and Umbria (Sagrantino).
I think it would also be great to see the all the art and history there and why not, with a glass of nice wine at hand...
Richard Johnson
jc
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Quote  Modified: 03/02/2005 9:36:06 AM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
Hi guys! Just some news to share about screwtop closures.... read on.

Cheers, jc

First International Screwcap Closure Symposium In Marlborough New Zealand


As old as the tradition of wine-making itself, it's almost sacrilegious not to have the subtle pop of cork christen each endeavour into a bottle of wine. But of late, screwcaps have gained the favour of major wine producers, sommeliers and even the French!
Download full report
http://www.australianwineindex.com/news_dl/200502_starimports.doc
wineguy
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Quote  Posted: 03/04/2005 6:01:39 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
jc wrote:
Download full report
http://www.australianwineindex.com/news_dl/200502_starimports.doc

I will certainly take the time to download and read this report. As far as I can tell, things here in the US are not that clear about screwcaps. I do not think they are that common in the market as most of the wines I see on the shelves are all sealed with corks or syncorks.
Maybe things are different in France and in Europe...
Steve
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Quote  Posted: 03/04/2005 6:02:02 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
ciao rickie and jc,
we can support antonello in organizing an international diwine taste symposium in italy next year! what do you think?
i'm just jocking... but who never knows? anyway, i'll try to keep my mind open, even on wine packaging issues!

bye
antonella
antonello
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Quote  Posted: 03/21/2005 6:03:31 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
antonella wrote:
ciao rickie and jc,
we can support antonello in organizing an international diwine taste symposium in italy next year! what do you think?
i'm just jocking... but who never knows? anyway, i'll try to keep my mind open, even on wine packaging issues!

bye
antonella

Well, whether you were joking or not, this may be an idea anyway!
We are thinking about this since last year and we may also end up organizing a mega wine tasting for all of our readers in many places of the world. Your feedback is highly welcome...
Antonello Biancalana
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cathy
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Quote  Posted: 03/24/2005 6:23:57 PM GMT Previous MessageNext MessageTop of Page
antonello wrote:
Well, whether you were joking or not, this may be an idea anyway!
We are thinking about this since last year and we may also end up organizing a mega wine tasting for all of our readers in many places of the world. Your feedback is highly welcome...

That would be a wonderful idea!! Can you provide us more information such as the location, date and wines to be tasted? Are you going to have such events in the US too?
It would be very interesting!
Cathy
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Quote  Posted: 05/03/2005 5:55:27 PM GMT Previous MessageTop of Page
antonello wrote:

Well, whether you were joking or not, this may be an idea anyway!
We are thinking about this since last year and we may also end up organizing a mega wine tasting for all of our readers in many places of the world. Your feedback is highly welcome...

I too would be interested in such events! Are you going to have something like that in France?

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