Wine Cork Versus Screw Cap—Which Is Better?

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Wine Cork Versus Screw Cap

What is a Wine Cork?

There are many types of wine corks, but we’re going to focus primarily on “natural” corks. A natural wine cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree (quercus suber), which is primarily found in Portugal and Spain and has been used for centuries.

Cork trees are stripped of their bark every nine years to produce wine corks. It’s a sustainable process that doesn’t harm the tree, which subsequently regenerates its bark. After drying and boiling to remove impurities, individual corks are produced, polished and sterilized.

There are many reasons why corks are the traditional choice for sealing wine bottles. So, what are the pros and cons of this traditional bottle stopper?

The Advantages of Wine Corks

Taste and aging potential—The elasticity of natural cork creates a tight seal that can compress and expand, trapping the aroma and flavor of the wine in the bottle. Cork also allows a tiny bit of oxygen exposure, which can help the aging process of wines meant for long-term storage. It can also develop a wine’s complexity and depth over time.
Sustainability—Cork oak forests absorb carbon dioxide, and there’s no need to cut down trees down to harvest the cork. Plus, natural wine corks are biodegradable and recyclable.
Vertical Tasting—Try several vintages of the same wine from consecutive years. This highlights how a particular vineyard’s or estate’s wines evolve.
Tradition and perception—Many wine enthusiasts appreciate the satisfying and enjoyable ritual of uncorking a bottle, and nearly all high-end wines (outside of New Zealand and Australia) use cork closure to signify quality.

The Disdvantages of Wine Corks

Taint—Corks are sometimes the cause of “cork taint,” a musty aroma caused by a natural chemical compound called TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole) that’s present in the tree’s wood and bark. While advanced cork treatments have lowered instances of this, this still affects a small percentage of wines and can impact the wine’s taste and aroma. (It’s important to note that TCA can also be imparted to a wine through wooden barrels, not just via corks.
Variability—While more of a concern for wine collectors, each cork is unique and can perform differently, which can cause slight bottle variations as the wines age.
Convenience and cost—Corks require a corkscrew to open and are more expensive than alternatives like screw caps.
Environmental impact—While cork production is widely viewed as sustainable, low-carbon and supportive of unique ecosystems, like many raw materials, it can be energy-intensive to transport.

What is a Screw Cap?

The screw cap has rapidly gained popularity in the wine world in recent decades. They are made of aluminum, which is molded and fitted with a liner made from polyethylene, a type of plastic that functions as the actual seal.

Wine bottle screw caps became popular in the late 20th century, with Australian and New Zealand winemakers leading the way in the 1970s and 1980s. They were looking for a solution to “cork taint,” and screw caps provided a consistent and reliable seal. This led to increasing acceptance from winemakers and wine lovers around the world (about 90% of New Zealand wines and 70% of Australian wines are bottled under screw caps today).

But what are the pro and cons of screw caps?

The Advantages of Screw Caps

Consistency—Screw caps provide a dependable seal, reducing the risk of oxidation and cork taint. This ensures that each bottle tastes as the winemaker intended.
Convenience—Screw caps are easy to open and reseal without needing a corkscrew, making them much more convenient. They travel well and they’re quicker to open (no need to worry about forgetting your corkscrew at the summer cookout).
Cost-effectiveness—Typically cheaper than traditional corks, screw caps can help reduce the overall cost of wine.

The Disadvantages of Screw Caps

Aging potential—The jury is still out on whether screw caps let wines age optimally. Some argue that the lack of oxygen can restrict the development of the wine. However, technology has evolved and some manufacturers offer screw caps that claim to offer specific levels of oxygen ingress over time (giving winemakers more options and predictability in terms of how the wines will age).
Perception—Some consumers associate screw caps with cheaper wines, though this perception is changing as more high-quality wines are bottled using screw tops.
Environmental impact—While the aluminum cap is recyclable, the plastic liner is not.

So, Which Is Better for You?

Deciding between a wine cork and a screw cap isn’t just about tradition versus modernity, it’s a choice that reflects changing tastes, preferences and environmental consciousness.

And there are still lots of common myths surrounding both types of closures.

One common myth is that high-quality wines only use cork, but while cork has long been associated with premium wines, more high-end wineries are embracing screw caps. This is down to the consistent performance offered by screw caps, as well as their ability to preserve the freshness of certain wines, particularly whites and rosés intended for early consumption.

A screw cap doesn’t automatically mean that the wine you are choosing is of a lower quality than its cork-sealed counterparts. Excellent wines come under both corks and screw caps.

Alternatives to Natural Cork and Screw Caps

You may have noticed some alternatives to natural cork and screw tops, which are also gaining in popularity, like plastic or synthetic corks. These offer the familiar bottle-opening experience without the risk of cork taint. However, some winemakers find they don’t provide as secure of a seal for long-term aging.

Composite corks (also called agglomerated corks), made from a blend of cork granules and glue, are another option. They help winemakers avoid some downsides of natural cork, like cork taint, while keeping the traditional look and feel. But, like synthetic corks, their long-term performance is often debated regarding how wine ages in the bottle.

In recent years, there have been even more innovative closures, including VinoLok (a stylish glass closure often used for rosés intended for early consumption) and the Helix (which combines cork and glass).

Summary

So, what’s the best type of closure? This largely depends on the specific wine and how long it’s meant to be stored. The reality is both traditional corks and screw caps, along with their alternatives, have their place in the diverse world of wine. The key is understanding their distinct advantages and limitations and choosing what best suits the wine, the occasion, and personal preference.

At WSJ Wine, we offer a range of wines with both corks and screw tops, as we know that each type of closure has its unique benefits. Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the ritual of pulling a cork or a modern enthusiast who appreciates the convenience of a screw cap, we have the perfect bottle of wine for you.

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