Top 3 preconceived ideas about screw caps

Since its creation in 1964, the screw cap has been constantly evolving. Criticized at first, then largely adopted in Australian and New Zealand markets, it started to win more and more supporters in many traditional markets. However, today, some clichés remain around screw caps: it’s time to debunk them.

Myth n°1 : you can’t age screw cap wine, and screw caps can only be found on cheap wines.

False! As we all know, some wines are made to be aged. Therefore, the wine needs to be able to "breathe" without excess or insufficiency in order to fully express its potential. Many consumers think screw caps do not allow for any oxygen exchange: that’s not true.

In fact, depending on the wine maker or enologist’s choice, screw caps may -or may not- allow the wine to enter in contact with oxygen. This oxygenation process happens through a permeability liner located inside the screw cap that allows the wine to continue aging naturally while preserving a consistent quality for all bottles in the same batch. This also preserves the aromas, freshness and fruit of the wine. However, it it possible that wines closed with screw caps mature a little slower in the bottle: one simply has to wait for the perfect time to taste it, like all respectable wines!

Here, among so many others, is a selection of spectacular vintages closed with screw caps!

Albert Mann - Gewurztraminer

Albert Mann is well known for being one of the first Alsatian estate to use bio-dynamic practices. The estate was also a pioneer is its utilization of screw caps.

Today, the 3 wines from the range "vins de terroirs", that were created to express the richness of the soil on the hillsides are bottled with screw caps. The same goes for the "vins de tradition" range, wines focused on the expression of the fruit.

PlumpJack Cabernet Sauvignon

PlumpJack Winery is an institution in winemaking, and is especially known for having changed the world of American wine by being the first vineyard to opt for screw caps on the continent. Aaron Miller, still in charge of the winery continues to praise screw caps.

Besides, the vintage "Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon 2013" also received the score of 100/100 by the famous Robert Parker, making it the second screw-capped wine in history to receive this rating.

Domaine des Baumard - Quarts de Chaume

Domaine des Baumard, that was recently awarded one of the 100 best producers in the world by Wine & Spirits magazine is also a pioneer when it comes to bottling wines with screw caps! The entire range uses STELVIN® LUX closures for domestic sales and exportations.

Florent Baumard, owner of the vineyard, offers a range of wines marked by the pure expression of their terroir and recognized by many enthusiasts!

Myth n°2 : Screw caps are not aesthetically pleasing.

In contrary to its beginning, screw cap can be a real ally for creative wine makers! Indeed, several options are available for wine producers looking to create a real personality for their wine and aiming to secure their brand reputation, starting with packaging.

Between the thermochromic inks, gloss or matte finishes, embossing on top and a textured appearance on the skirt, the possibilities are endless!

The latest innovation of Amcor, SHAPEART Texture, is definitely going in this direction! Seen on Colombelle de Plaimont, SHAPEART Texture gives a textured appearance to your closure. Recyclable, these closures offer a fully-fledged opening experience to the user and definitely stand out at a glance in bars and on shelves.

SHAPEART Texture on Colombelle by Plaimont

At Plaimont, we are convinced that the SHAPEART Texture closure will further contribute to the brand’s success by increasing consumer perceived value and differentiating us from our competitors. SHAPEART Texture is a new offering and Plaimont is the first wine producer to present a personalized textured closure. - Karine Gautier

Myth n°3 : Screw caps are not eco-friendly.

This prejudice is hard to break… However, this myth isn’t relevant anymore and screw caps are greener than you think.

First of all, the total life cycle of the bottle must be taken into account. According to the latest data, the carbon footprint of a 75cl wine bottle represented between 1.5 and 3 kg of CO2. This carbon footprint is explained by different factors, including grape, wine, and glass bottle production. In comparison, the closure only represents between 0,05 to 3% of the total carbon footprint of a bottle of wine.

Furthermore, and that is a major argument, screw caps prevent the wine spoilage caused by TCA*. Responsible for cork taint, and even if it has been declining for some years due to technological advances and the sector’s efforts, TCA still leads to nearly 3% losses each year. Today, Wine Enthusiast estimates that it represents nearly 1 billion bottles ruined by TCA annually.

Thus, if you consider the bottle’s overall life cycle, screw caps have a lower environmental impact. It should also be noted that screw caps have superior sealing abilities, and are less encline to cause leaking problems.

In addition, as screw caps are made of aluminium, they are designed to be recycled. Doing so is quite simple: you only have to screw the cap back on the bottle before discarding it in the glass recycling bin. The aluminum is then separated from the bottle during the recycling process.

Thus, recycling aluminum packaging, and therefore screw caps, preserves our natural resources and reduces our impact on the planet!