Thoroughly Modern Michael
I now look for bottles of good wine sealed with screw tops. “Good wine” because I still like the good stuff, and “sealed with screw tops” because they’re easier and more convenient. I note that some vinters are beginning to realize that screw cap makes sense and that some very good wines are now bottled this way. And today I used an empty bottle of such wine (rinsed out) to hold a bottle of a good California Riesling (after pouring a small glass for myself) that came in a corked bottle. The screw cap is better if you’re not drinking the entire bottle.
I know there’s still a lot of debate about it, but we were told by a member of the staff at Williamsburg Winery in VA that screw tops are likely the best option (although they still use natural cork). Synthetic corks do not expand and therefore don’t provide a great seal, and natural cork is expensive and has other issues like drying out if the wine isn’t stored on its side. He told us that the problem is that screw top wine still has the reputation of being “cheap wine,” and it’s going to take time to kill that stereotype.
Michael
5 October 2011 at 7:00 pm