One would think that the hottest debate in the wine world would be about vintages, varietals and appellations. It’s not. The biggest debate concerns how to seal a bottle of wine: cork or screw cap.

Cork comes from the cork tree, Quercus Suber, a species of oak tree that grows in Portugal and Spain. Wooden corks have been used to seal wine bottles since early in the 17th century. Recently, consumers and winemakers have begun to rebel against the large number of wines that become “corked” (go bad due to a tainted cork). This, along with the accompanying cost savings, has sparked the increased usage of screw caps on fine wines and hence the debate.

Put a cork in it! Support for the cork:

Romance – Screw caps degrade the tradition and wonderful ritual of opening a bottle of wine.

Complexity – Secondary flavors develop as the wine ages

Balanced Respiration – The cork can absorb some sulfides, thereby improving the character of the wine.

Screw this one! Support for the screw-cap:

Price – Screw caps are much cheaper to buy and just as
effective.

Accessibility – Screw caps remove mystique from wine,
making it more appealing to the masses.

Consistent Taste –Wine retains original fruit aromas and
flavors with age.

So, which one is best? I think the answer lies in a quote from Wolf Blass, “It all depends on whether you are a puller or a screwer!”