screw caps
One of the alternative types of CLOSURES that quality-wine producers are exploring in an effort to overcome the problems caused by faulty corks (see corked wines). The screw cap closure generally has an outer layer of aluminum alloy with a liner of expanded polyethylene which, when compressed against the bottle top, forms an airtight seal. Wine bottles, of course, must have a threaded lip to accept the cap. Although often associated with less-expensive JUG WINES, screw caps have recently been successfully used by a number of high-quality NEW WORLD wine concerns. Two California producers are leading the way—Plumpjack Winery used the screw cap for portions of its $125-plus Reserve CABERNET SAUVIGNON and Bonny Doon Vineyard released 80,000 cases of screw-capped wine, accompanied by several “Death of the Cork” events. In Australia’s Clare Valley, many RIESLING producers have begun using screw caps, and a large number of New Zealand winemakers are using them for their vintage 2002 wines. Although many producers are still concerned about consumer acceptance, the idea of screw caps as a viable wine-closure alternative is taking hold. As evidence of this viability, the Napa Wine Company, a CUSTOM CRUSH FACILITY located in the NAPA VALLEY, recently converted one of its bottling lines to accommodate super-premium screw cap bottles.
Related Links:
closures, jug wine(s), New World Wine
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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