January 2007

The Enclosure Debate : Cork vs Screwcap ?

By: Charlie Hardie (Cellar Master at Browns of Rivonia)

Let me air some views on this potentially contentious Industry issue.

For everyday drinking White and Red wines I would make Screw cap compulsory. There is nothing more annoying than opening a quaffing wine that is cork tainted. Over 95% of wines consumed globally cost less than R50. The question remains, how do you define the term “Everyday?”

However, for higher priced wines with cellaring potential, the debate lines become blurred. Whilst Science has proved that Screwcap keeps the wine fresher for longer, and by implication retards the maturation of the wine, is this what the winemakers want for their wines? Under cork, wine matures a bit quicker in a more natural manner. It is not necessarily the best thing for a wine to mature for too long. There is the real spectre of wine becoming unbalanced.

Then there is the aesthetic aspect. People still like the popping sound as the cork is drawn.
This debate will run for longer than Dallas and The Mousetrap.

One final muse. In extremis the expression “stick a cork in it mate” may soon become redundant. Rather sad really.

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