Why Screwcap Wines Deserve Your Respect

Petros Skarmoutsos, wine manager at Farsons Beverage Imports Company Ltd., shares his expert insight into one of the wine world’s most misunderstood innovations. Long dismissed as a marker of cheap wine, the screwcap has quietly become a symbol of quality, precision, and forward-thinking winemaking. Here’s why it’s time we gave it the respect it deserves.

Long dismissed as the mark of cheap wine, the screwcap has quietly become a symbol of quality, precision, and innovation. Here’s why it’s time to give it the respect it deserves.

By Petros Skarmoutsos DipWSET

When it comes to wine, few debates stir the glass quite like the one over closures. For decades, the natural, romantic, classic cork — with its satisfying pop — has reigned supreme. Meanwhile, its upstart cousin, the screwcap, has battled an image problem. Dismissed by many as the preserve of cheap, supermarket-destined or inferior wine, the screwcap has long been misunderstood and a stranger to many restaurants’ wine lists. But it’s time to uncork the truth: screwcaps are not just for low-quality wine — and in many cases, they might actually be the superior choice.

The evolution of the screwcap
Screwcaps first gained serious traction in the 1970s, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, where winemakers grew frustrated with the unpredictability of cork. In 2001, Villa Maria was among the first wineries to declare itself ‘100% cork free’, following years of disappointment with cork failures and a commitment to deliver consistent quality for every bottle sold worldwide.

Unlike cork, which is a natural material with inherent variability, screwcaps provide a reliable, consistent seal. The most recognised brand of wine screwcap is Stelvin, developed in France in the 1960s and now widely used by quality-focused wineries across the globe. Stelvin closures revolutionised modern winemaking by offering an elegant, airtight solution that maintains wine integrity.

Still, despite their technical superiority, the wine world — particularly Old World regions — clung to tradition. Cork is culture. Cork is class.

Science in the bottle
A 10-year study by the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) compared the ageing potential of wines sealed under cork, synthetic closures, and screwcaps. The findings were conclusive: wines under screwcap retained freshness and fruit vibrancy better than their cork-sealed counterparts, which often suffered from oxidation or spoilage. For white wines in particular, screwcaps preserved the wine’s intended profile with remarkable fidelity and consistency.

One of the most compelling advantages of the screwcap is its immunity to cork taint, formally known as TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole). TCA can impart a musty, damp cardboard aroma and flavour to wine, rendering it undrinkable. Estimates suggest that up to 3–5% of wines sealed under natural cork are affected by TCA to some degree. Screwcaps, on the other hand, virtually eliminate this risk, offering peace of mind for both winemakers and consumers.

Cork carries a few other disadvantages that are rarely mentioned. It must remain moist to maintain a proper seal, which is why bottles must be stored horizontally. A dried-out cork can shrink, allowing oxygen to enter and damage the wine, making provenance and storage conditions critical. And then there’s the matter of practicality: screwcaps are wonderfully hassle-free, especially if you don’t finish the bottle. A simple twist reseals it perfectly, allowing you to enjoy it over several days with minimal loss in quality.

How about ageing?
One of the lingering myths is that wines under screwcap cannot age. But this too has been disproven. In fact, screwcaps can support graceful ageing — particularly when designed with liners that allow controlled oxygen transmission. Stelvin closures, for example, are available in different liner types that give winemakers precise control over oxygen ingress, mimicking the ageing curve of cork without its unpredictability.

Global embrace of the screwcap
Today, some of the world’s most prestigious wineries use screwcaps. In New Zealand, nearly 99% of wines are sealed with them, including iconic producers like Villa Maria and Cloudy Bay, renowned for their Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. In Australia, legendary names such as Henschke have moved their premium wines — including the flagship Hill of Grace Shiraz — to screwcap, citing superior long-term quality and consistency. Penfolds and Yalumba have also been pioneers in this closure revolution.

Even in the United States, where cork tradition runs deep, acclaimed wineries have begun embracing screwcap closures. Old World regions have been slower to adopt, but the tide is shifting. In Italy, producers in Alto Adige and Sicily are increasingly using screwcaps, particularly for fresh white wines where fruit and minerality are the stars. Some wineries now offer importers a choice of bottling with either cork or screwcap, steadily gathering data on consumer preferences. In Bordeaux, forward-thinking estates in regions such as Entre-Deux-Mers are experimenting with screwcaps for early-drinking whites, citing both convenience and consistency.

Final pour
Let’s put it plainly: screwcap does not equal cheap. It equals consistency, protection, and increasingly, quality. Cork will always have its place — advancing technology is delivering more reliable corks, and of course it retains the ceremonial charm of opening a fine bottle. In a fine-dining restaurant, the theatrical twist of the corkscrew and that gentle pop remain part of the sensory ritual that many still treasure. The screwcap, while practical, inevitably strips away a touch of that romance.

But for everyday drinking, travel ease, and guaranteeing that your wine tastes exactly as the winemaker intended — without the risk of taint, oxidation, or storage mishaps — the screwcap shines. So next time you hesitate before picking up a screwcapped bottle for your dinner party or wine cellar, remember: it’s what’s inside that counts.

Cheers to myths busted — and wines well preserved.