▷ What are the advantages of the threaded cap? The myth of bad wine

Screw cap wines are often viewed with skepticism by wine enthusiasts. Many consumers still believe that screw cap wines are synonymous with low quality.

I believe the time has come to definitively destroy this misconception and shed light on this revolutionary closure system and all the indisputable advantages of threaded caps. Producers around the world rely on screw caps to preserve and protect their wines, including fine editions and renowned varieties.

Read on to discover the reasons behind the move to corked wines and to challenge the stigma surrounding this revolutionary closure system.

When and why did the screw cap appear?

The closure system of a bottle of wine, regardless of the material it is made of, has the sole purpose of keeping the liquid inside and oxygen (above all) outside. It is known that the number one enemy of wines is oxygen, which in excessive quantities drastically changes the aroma and structure of the wine.

For centuries, winemakers have relied on cork, a natural, porous tree bark, to close and seal wine bottles. This naturally allows small amounts of oxygen to enter the bottle, which helps mature the wines by adding complex tertiary aromas. Once inserted into the bottle, the cap creates a seal using its natural elasticity and compression properties to prevent oxygen from entering.

However, with natural cork there is a risk of contamination caused by a chemical called trichloroanisole (TCA), the classic cork defect. Unfortunately, this is a defect that cannot be identified and excluded by winemakers; the only beneficiary is the final consumer.

Due to this potential for failure various alternatives to the classic cork have appeared and the threaded cork is perhaps the most modern option. The French company “La Bouchage Mechanique” was the first to develop and use a screw cap in 1959. “Australian Consolidated” acquired the right to produce the closure system in 1970 and renamed it “Stelvin”, the French translation of which is “steel-wine”.

The screw cap was widely used by the entire industry, starting with the old world but stoically adopted by the new world. Australia was the first country which, following the disappointments caused by the poor quality of cork stoppers, decided in 2000 to bottle Riesling with screw caps. In 2001, New Zealand followed suit, adopting the threaded closure system, achieving considerable success and industry acceptance.

This bold step has helped ensure the quality and consistency of New Zealand wines recognized for their flavor profiles around the world.

Threaded cap structure

The threaded cap construction incorporates simple yet effective engineering. The closure consists of two components: an aluminum alloy cover attached to a sleeve and an expanded polyethylene wool liner. The coating acts as a barrier for gas exchange, thus ensuring the tightness of the wine bottle and the protection of the liquid inside.

The advantages of threaded caps

Tradition is often preferred over innovation in the wine industry and corking is closely related to winemaking practice. Heritage and history are defining elements of what we so affectionately call “wine.” However, the wire closure system offers several advantages:

Easy opening: comfort is key. The threaded cork closure eliminates the need for a corkscrew, making opening a bottle of wine much easier and more convenient. This is especially preferred by younger generations who probably don’t have the experience needed to open a bottle of wine.
Quality control: cork stoppers often have defects that compromise the integrity and aroma of the wine. The consistent quality of screwcaps offers peace of mind to winemakers and a positive experience for consumers.
Storage and resealing: compared to the classic cork stopper, bottles with screw caps can be stored in a vertical position. Furthermore, the bottles are easy to close after pouring by simply inserting the cap. You can easily keep wine fresh by simply screwing on the cork.

Do threaded corks indicate lower quality wines?

For years, consumers have associated screw caps with poor quality, but this is not true. As consumers become more informed, this perception is gradually changing. Advances in screw cap technology have also led to complex designs that allow for oxygen exchange to facilitate uniform maturation of wine.

Can corked wines age?

The aging ability of filleted wines is an often debated topic and remains somewhat subjective. Depending on personal preferences, there are some consumers who believe that wines closed with “Stelvin” can age just as well as wines closed with cork. Consistency of quality remains one of the great advantages of the screw cap and new technologies in the sector even allow the controlled micro-oxygenation of high quality wines.

Does the screw cap steal the opening experience?

The absence of the ritual of removing the cork is seen as a disadvantage by those who live to feel “pok”. With screw caps, consumers can fully appreciate the integrity of the wine without the risk of cork breakage or premature oxidation.

If we still haven’t managed to convince you, all that remains is to drink and decide for yourself whether or not it is worth approaching this closure system with the same enthusiasm as the classic cork stopper. We recommend starting with the wines of the LIVIA LINE and then moving on to the wonderful blends of the EPICENTRUM line.