open screwcap

To Cork or Not to Cork - That is the Question

We explore options for greening our buildings and minimizing packaging. We are introducing screw top wine bottles to promote these ideas, in addition to selling bulk wine in reusable containers. The cork tree grows in a select area, grows very slowly and will produce quality corks only after many years' growth, and therefore, due to high demand from the wine industry, is not a sustainable crop. Although screw tops have had a negative connotation, they are the way of the future. The times of "corked" wine will be a thing of the past. The screw top closure ensures a fresh bottle every time, is fully recyclable, attractive and best of all, easy to open. No more broken corks, no more "corked" bottles. Wine in screw caps can be safely stored upright for any length of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is Spindrift Cellars using screw caps because it saves them money?
Answer: No, it actually is more expensive for us to use screw caps. Larger institutional wineries might find some minor savings, but not a winery our size.

Question: If it is more expensive for Spindrift Cellars, why not just use corks?
Answer: This has nothing to do with cost and everything to do with quality. According to a recent study by Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center in Portland, "From 3 to 20 percent of wines with natural corks suffer from 'cork taint', a product of fungal contamination of the cork that gives a moldy or wet cardboard flavor to even the finest vintage."
Source: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2004/Oct04/corks.htm

Question: Especially as a small winery, isn't there a risk for Spindrift Cellars by using the latest in wine bottling technology?screwcap 2
Answer: Absolutely there is a risk for us. However, we are committed to consistent quality for our customers. We take extreme pride in the quality of our wine. We believe our customers expect the same exceptional quality in every bottle. The owners of Small World Wine Co are committed to quality and will continue to put our customer's satisfaction first. We believe that if we put our customers first, everything else will take care of itself. Tyson Stelzer, an Australian wine writer who holds degrees in physics and mathematics, wrote in Screwed for Good: The Case for Screw Caps on Red Wine, "One must wonder whether any consumer who derives more romance and ceremonial value from the bottle and its seal than from the quality of its contents has missed the point of wine enjoyment altogether."

Question: What do wine critics and experts say about using corks?
Answer: James Lube, Wine Spectator's Napa Valley-based senior editor who has been with the magazine since 1983 stated, "Despite decades of serving wine well, corks have failed miserably of late. It has become increasingly evident to most in the wine business that it's only a matter of time before bad corks spread like a plague. That seems to be exactly what is happening."
Source: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,3627,000.html

Question: What should I do if I get a bad bottle of corked wine?
Answer: If you purchased the bottle in a restaurant, you should notify the waiter immediately. Obviously, your case will be stronger if you are not asking them to replace a half-empty bottle. Retail purchases can be a little more complicated because fine wines will increase in value. Seldom will the retailer compensate you based upon the current purchase price. The best you should expect is a refund of your original purchase price. Don't forget to keep all your receipts.