Have you noticed more screw top wine bottles at your local wine shop lately? When you think of a bottle of wine, you probably picture a traditional glass bottle sealed with a cork. However, wine bottles with screw caps have recently begun to grow in popularity. This has led to plenty of discussion about the differences between screw tops vs corks and which is a better sealing option to preserve your wine. Below, we’ll cover what screw top wine is, how it got started, and the benefits and myths surrounding screw caps. Plus, find out how to pick the perfect bottle of screw top wine to try for yourself.
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How Screw Top Wines Got Started
Before the invention of a wine bottle with a screw cap, bottles were traditionally sealed with a piece of cork. However, in 1959 a French company called La Bouchage Mechanique created the screw top with the idea that it would better preserve the wine inside the bottle. They were not popular with winemakers at first, but recently they have become more and more common in the wine industry.
What Is Screw Top Wine?
Screw top wine, also referred to as screw cap wine or twist off wine, is a wine that is bottled with an aluminum alloy cap attached to a sleeve and wrapped in expanded polyethylene wadding. These caps twist off the bottle similar to a soda bottle cap, and the idea is to create a tighter seal on the bottle that promotes gas exchange without exposing the wine to too much oxygen and impacting the flavor.
Growth & Popularity of Screw Caps
Screw cap wines were not popular when the idea was first created in the late 1950s, as many wine enthusiasts wanted to stick to the traditional cork to preserve the authenticity of the winemaking process. However, in recent years these twist off bottles have become more and more common in stores, and many wineries have thrown out the use of a cork altogether.
Who Uses Screw Caps for Their Wine?
While screw caps are a fairly recent development, many countries are choosing to fully embrace the new wine lid and are bottling more and more of their wine with them. New Zealand is leading the charge, with over 95% of their wines being capped with screw caps instead of the traditional cork. Australia also uses screw caps on around 80% of its wines.
They are not the only countries to go all-in on twist-off wine bottles, though. The next highest user of screw caps is South Africa, with around 65% of their wines now using a screw cap. Just behind them is Chile, where around 63% of their wines now come with screw caps. These new caps are skyrocketing in popularity among winemakers around the world, and for a good reason!
Corks vs Screw Caps
The traditional cork method of bottling wine has been used for hundreds of years. Corks are porous, meaning that tiny bits of air can get into the bottle and soften the tannins in the wine. However, they are also prone to developing trichloroanisole and going bad. This “cork taint” can spoil your wine, leaving it with an unpleasant musty or mildew smell.
In contrast, screw caps do not let any oxygen into the bottle, preventing the wine from slowly aging. This makes it a good option for wines that are meant to be enjoyed young, such as fruity red wines.
Benefits of Screw Top Wines
When comparing a cork to a screw top, what are the benefits that come with using a screw cap for your wine? For starters, they are easier to open than corks, making them a great option for wine connoisseurs who like to travel or may have difficulty opening a bottle of wine with a cork. They are also easier to seal and reseal than trying to jam a cork back into the bottle and are more eco-friendly.
In addition, screw top wines are more consistent in their batches and have different chemical properties than cork wines. They can also be a more affordable wine option for connoisseurs on a budget.
Myths About Screw Top Wines
Let’s clear up a few misconceptions surrounding the idea of screw top wines. For starters, a wine with a screw cap does not immediately mean that the wine is of a lower quality. Wines bottled with a screw cap can be just as high quality or even higher quality than some wines bottled with a cork, and the screw cap technology grows every day to improve the bottling process.
Another myth is that screw cap wines cannot be aged like a corked wine. While a screw cap allows for less oxygen to enter the bottle, this does not mean that the wine cannot age at all. In addition, new screw cap designs are coming out every day that allow users to control the amount of oxygen that can get into the bottle, offering greater control over the aging process.
How Long Does Screw Top Wine Last?
Unopened Screw Top Wine
- Red Wine: The shelf life of an unopened red screw top wine is around 2-3 years.
- White Wine: The shelf life of an unopened white screw top wine is around 1-3 years.
Storage Tip: Store unopened screw top wine on its side, away from direct light, and in a cool place with minimal temperature fluctuations.
Opened Screw Top Wine
- Red Wine: The shelf life of an opened red screw top wine is around 3-5 days.
- White Wine: The shelf life of an opened white screw top wine is around 2-3 days.
Storage Tip: Store your opened white screw top wine in the refrigerator at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There are plenty of ways to use up leftover wine, from cooking with it to fertilizing your plants, so don’t forget about that bottle in the fridge!
The Best Screw Top Wines To Try
Thinking about trying a screw top wine but not sure where to start? Check out these tips to help you choose a wine that will please your palate, plus some of our favorite screw top wine picks that you can find in your local Wine Cellar store or buy online.
Tips for Selecting Screw Top Wine
- Do Your Research: Look up reviews and ratings for various screw cap wines, go to a local winery, or ask your friends and family what they enjoy.
- Know the Region and Varietals: Figure out which regions and varietals offer screw top wines and find one with a flavor profile you enjoy.
- Check the Quality, Not the Cap: Choose your wine based on the quality of the wine itself rather than the method by which they sealed the bottle.
Our Picks for the Best Screw Top Wines
Check out our full collection of screw top wines online or stop by your local wine shop today!
Screw Top Wine FAQ
Are screw tops only used for cheap wines?
No, many high-quality wines use screw tops. The closure method does not necessarily correlate with the wine’s quality.
Can screw top wines age as well as cork-sealed wines?
Yes, many studies and industry experts suggest that screw top wines can age just as well, if not better, due to their consistent sealing properties.
How do screw tops impact the environment compared to cork?
Screw tops are often made from recyclable materials and have a lower risk of spoilage, reducing waste. However, cork is a renewable resource, and its harvest supports cork oak ecosystems.
Why did winemakers start using screw caps?
Winemakers adopted screw tops to ensure a more reliable seal, reduce the risk of cork taint, and offer consumers a more convenient wine experience.
What are the main benefits of screw top wine closures?
Screw top closures provide a reliable seal that prevents cork taint, are easy to open and reseal, and are often more sustainable than traditional corks.
Are there any disadvantages of screw top wines?
Some traditionalists argue that screw tops lack the romanticism of wine sealed with corks. Additionally, there is ongoing debate about the long-term aging potential of screw top wines.
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