Cork or “screw”? Expert explains which better seals wine | Food and drinks | Kitchen

What kind of corks are better for wine? Right now, there is a noticeable bias towards screw-on metal corks. Even many experts claim that they are better than cork corks, as they are more airtight. Is this true?

And what do we, as buyers, need to know about this? When a few years ago corks with a “screw” first appeared on wine bottles, they shocked wine lovers. Some still absolutely do not accept them, claiming that wine can only be corked with a cork from oak bark. But on the other hand, advocates of screw-on metal corks quickly appeared. Here is their main argument: the classic cork “breathes”, and they seal the bottle more tightly and completely block access to the wine from harmful oxygen. Irina Godunova, a candidate of biological sciences, an honorary member of the Union of Sommeliers and Experts of Russia, and a member of the jury of Russian wine competitions, explains the reality to readers of aif.ru: — It all depends on the type of wine you are buying. If it is not intended for long-term storage and needs to be consumed within 1-2 years, then screw-on corks will work well. For example, they preserve the fruity aromas of young wines very well.

If you are buying wine that can be stored and aged for a long time, then it should have a quality classic cork, preferably at least 7 centimeters long. This is necessary to slow down the penetration of oxygen into the bottle, as a minimal amount of oxygen is still needed for the wine to mature. It helps in the formation of complex polyphenols in mature red wines.

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Since there is currently a shortage of classic oak corks, they are becoming more widespread and screw-on corks are being used more often. Often, the cheapest ones are used. They seal the bottle very tightly, which is harmful for the wine aging process. On the other hand, some producers have started making screw-on corks that allow a small amount of oxygen to pass through. They can even differ in their permeability, depending on this they are recommended for specific grape varieties and wine styles.