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We’d
like to explain why you are seeing screwcaps replacing natural
corks on some of our offerings these days!
Many artisanal wine producers are courageously leaving behind
the traditional cork in favor of the screwcap for one reason:
To be sure that the wine they worked so hard to perfect stays
that way until you’re pouring yourself a glass.
All natural cork contains traces of a bacterial compound known
as Trichloroanisole, or “TCA” for short. When
it occurs at a certain level (literally just a few parts per
trillion) it imparts a “taint” to the wine. That
is when we call the wine “corked”. In the early
stages of TCA spoilage, only those especially sensitive to
the taint can detect it. Rather than an aroma or flavor, there
is initially only a “dumbing” of the wine’s
original fruit character; it is simply not all that it should
be. With more time, the spoilage develops to something almost
anyone can sense: A “wet newspaper” mustiness
that has completely replaced the wine’s original aromas
and flavors. This is not damage you can actually see; other
structural flaws are to blame for leaky or brittle corks.
Experts generally agree that TCA taint occurs to some degree
in about one bottle of every case of wine sealed by natural
corks. Unfortunately, many wine drinkers don’t recognize
the signature smell and flavor of a “corked” wine
and simply dismiss it as a poor effort. Consider the hardworking
winemaker’s position: Wouldn’t you be anxious
about the possible misjudgement of your product?
While efforts are being taken to “clean” natural
corks of TCA during their production, the results of these
are inconclusive thus far. Many winemakers are more confident
in leaving corks behind until they are sure their wines won’t
be hurt by them. Plastic corks and screwcaps are the best
answers, with screwcaps perceived to be the better of the
two for long term aging.
It’s not a cheaper choice, at least at the outset. Quality-minded
wineries must actually invest to adjust their bottling programs
to handle the new closures and threaded bottles. Most of the
first to make “the switch” have been smaller producers.
With closer ties to their consumers they can explain the move.
However, we think it’s just a matter of time before
many “higher-end” wineries are confident enough
in consumer awareness to do the same.
While screwcaps may have meant “Cheap Wine!” to
you in the past, we hope that we’ve helped you feel
more confident about them – and the wine they’re
protecting!
By the way, if you ever believe you have received a “corked”
wine from us, please return the bottle along with the unused
contents to us. Our vendors are aware of the possibility and
enable us to replace it free of charge!
Thank you for your inquisitiveness and attention!
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