Wine Bottle Closure: Cork or Screw Caps

If you have opened a bottle of wine but haven’t consumed all of the contents, you can store the wine so that you can enjoy it at a later time. If you’re a keen wine enthusiast, most likely you have already invested in an affordable wine fridge which you can place the opened bottle into for storage which will maintain the correct temperature and conditions needed to preserve the wine.  But first you need to properly close the bottle’s mouth in order to keep the aroma and flavor sealed in the bottle.

When you purchase a wine, it comes with one of two types of seals; the traditional cork cap, or a screw cap.  Which of the two is the better way to choose? How does the cork differ from the screw cap and what sort of protection can your wine bottles get from them?

Corks
The natural cork is the traditional method for bottle closure. Over the centuries, it has been used by wine enthusiasts and makers. However, it’s not uncommon for a smell to emanate from a bottle when a substance called TCA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole) is formed when natural fungi (in the cork) comes into contact with certain chemicals which are used to sanitize the cork.  Once this happens, the wine becomes contaminated resulting in a musty smell and unpleasant taste. This is known as ‘corked’ wine.

There is also the synthetic cork which is made of plastic. Though a good alternative to the natural cork, it has been discovered through the years that it cannot prevent oxidation.

The cork, with its porous nature, tends to let air into the bottle, causing it to undergo oxidation.

Though the cork has been popular over the centuries, newer and better alternatives are here today.

Screw
The screw is deemed as the better alternative to bottle closure because it prevents oxidation, as well as the musty taste from corked wine.

This was shown in the 30-month study conducted by the Hogue Cellars which compared synthetic and natural corks with the screw called Stelvin cap.

Though the drama of uncorking a bottle of wine is eliminated with the use of the screw, the results of the unspoilt taste can be worth it.

Today, more and more people are purchasing wines which have a screw cap bottles.  The taste and flavor are very well preserved.  It’s also becoming more common for households to have a wine fridge in Australia.

Protect your wine collection from spoiling by having your own affordable wine fridges from Relax At Home.

Relax At Home is the leading provider of quality and affordable home equipment in Australia. It has a display center but you can also reach them through their website at www.relaxathome.com.au where you can find different images of its stocks. With Relax At Home, you are assured of a stylish and quality wine fridge in Australia

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