The Great Cork Myth

I love the sound of a cork being pulled from a bottle! It’s so much more appealing that the crack of a screwcap being twisted. A screwcap is convenient and a tried and tested way to seal wine, but why do I still associate the ‘pop’ with craftsmanship and quality? 

For centuries, cork has been the closure of choice for wine. It has become synonymous with tradition, aging and fine wine. There is even a little drama at the table as the waiter carefully removes the cork and gives it a discreet sniff. Yet the closure itself doesn’t determine what’s inside the bottle.

There are good reasons why a winemaker might choose cork. Natural cork allows tiny amounts of oxygen to interact with the wine over time, which can be beneficial for certain wines destined for ageing. There is also the simple fact that consumers expect a premium bottle to have one.

However, cork can be problematic. It is often more expensive than a screwcap, and there is the risk of cork taint, which can give wine an unpleasant aroma reminiscent of damp cardboard or wet dog. Not exactly what you were hoping for!

Modern screwcaps may lack the drama of cork, but they offer consistency, helping to preserve the freshness and fruit character of many wines, particularly those intended to be enjoyed young.

Cork can add to the character of the wine when used for extended aging, but the drama of pulling out the cork doesn’t make a wine better. The real measure of quality is what’s inside the bottle, not how we open it.