2006-10-05 02:24:53 · 11 answers · asked by rorybrowne 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Centuries before the invention of a twist-off cap, corks (or any sort of stopper) was the method of choice to close a bottle. At this time, it's more a matter of tradition than practicality.
Snoochies, you might want to reconsider which is more air tight, corks, or corks :)
Corks are actually responsible for a small percentage (about 1%) of wine spoilage know as "corkiness" where some contaminant (corks are a natural product) causes significant off flavor in the wine. To keep with the tradition of corking the wine bottle without risking making the bottle corky, many wineries are switching to the high density synthetic foam corks. Also, better quality wines are starting to show up in screw cap bottles...the stigma of screw caps being cheap wine is slowly fading away, though not that quickly. The same applies to boxed wine. It's actually a sophisticated way of storing wine to keep it from ever being in contact with air which either oxidises the wine and allows the flavors to deteriorate, or enables the entry of contaminants. The evolution of wine containers is fighting an uphill battle of tradition.
2006-10-05 03:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by Trid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wine has been made for such a long time, that it is still tradition to use a cork. Couple that with the act of smelling the cork when tasting a wine that has been presented to you and apparently you have a tradition that wine makers are reluctant to change. Not only that, but the attitude of wine drinkers makes it stay that way (See Bryan H's answer). I do know that there is quite a movement by some California wine makers to start making wine with twist-off caps; I know of a wine maker who will only make wine with twist-off caps (and he has won awards for this wine).
2006-10-07 13:44:48 · answer #2 · answered by Janiepoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until recently twist off caps wouldn't seal the bottle well enough so cork was used. Cork cork have pretty much been replaced by plastics. Many wineries especially in Australia have shifted to Twist off caps. So you can now find a quality wine with a twist off cap and I have to admit I like it better....
2006-10-05 10:53:57 · answer #3 · answered by sjj571 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cork is the traditional way to seal wine bottles. Unfortunelty, sometimes the cork would "leak" and let air in, and your wine would turn into something similar to vinegar.
A lot of wine makers are changing over to a compressed foam to replace the cork. Of course, there is also the inexpensive twist off caps, however a serious drinker of wine won't even look at those bottles.
2006-10-05 09:34:14 · answer #4 · answered by Brian H 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, twist-off caps are becoming more and more popular even with fine wines. The technology has improved, good cork is harder to find, so this has become more acceptable. So, no more jokes about cheap-o wines with screw caps!
2006-10-05 10:41:59 · answer #5 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many wine bottles do have twist of caps nowadays. However better quality wine needs time to mature and some air needs to be involved in the process. Hence the permeable cork.
2006-10-05 09:28:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wine bottles use corks because they are more airtight than a cork. You do not want air to get in, and you definitely don't want air to get in and contaminate a wine or beer. Also corks probably help during shipping. I've seen several cases where a twist-off beer cap wasn't on airtight.
2006-10-05 09:44:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
cork is the traditional "old school" method. cork preserves the natural taste. what's funny is that now, even expensive wines are starting to use twist offs.
2006-10-05 09:49:11 · answer #8 · answered by Eli 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because it preserves it natural taste.
2006-10-05 09:34:16 · answer #9 · answered by tall dark and handsome 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is something to do with flavor or freshness
2006-10-05 10:48:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋