Screw Caps -Part 2

Screw Caps –Part 2
By Lori Randall

Today’s Screw Cap Wines are not the Twist Top Wines of Yesterday

Last month I wrote about the wine industry’s controversial move towards screw caps, the polyethylene liner covered with a special tin foil that creates an airtight seal to eliminate cork taint and wine oxidation.

Reluctant to purchase wines with a screw top, I sat down with a few friends to a tasting of wines with alternative closures to see if we would be willing to retire our cork screws.

The tasting of over 50 wines was met with rave reveiws and surprisingly, this group of discerning palates gave only three wines the thumbs down.

So what do we have to say in conclusion of our diligent research? Check all pre-concieved opinions at the turnstyle and pick up a bottle of one of these wines on your next trip to the store.

Housewife Whites
OK, I am not a housewife, but I think you know what I mean here. It’s your everyday white…you always have some in the fridge and keep a few extra bottles on hand. Does this wine really need the ritualistic cork? No, and it’s actaully a lot more convienient that it doesn’t (plus, the wine keeps a bit longer).

2005 Cedergreen Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley—Bright, refreshing and crisp. A favorite among all of us. ($18)

2005 Matthews Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyard, Red Mountain—Lots of rich fruit in this wine. ($18)

2004 Desert Wind ‘Bare Naked’ Chardonnay, Columbia Valley—A brilliant Washington Chardonnay without the oak. We absolutely loved this wine! I’ll take a case. ($13)

Summer Quaffers
A wine meant for hot summer days, served icy cold on the patio at a party or on a picnic with friends. Since you’ll be going through the wine fast you’ll appricate the time-saving screw top and, yes, it’s perfectly OK to pour it in a plastic cup.

2005 Screwed White, McLaren Vale, Australia—This fresh, youthful blend of Semillion and Chardonnay got a thumbs-up from everyone. ($10)

2004 Ciao Bella, Pinot Grigio, Venezie, Italy—Crisp, light and bright –the quintessential quaffer. ($10)

2005 Penfolds Reserve Bin Eden Valley Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia—Fresh, vibrant and alive, a quality Riesling is one of my favorite apéritifs. ($18)


BBQ Bonanzas
It’s a casual night, you’re breaking out the Kingsford charcoal, firing up the barbecue and eating on the deck. No need for a fancy-pants cork here.

2004 Tyrrell's Lost Block Chardonnay, Australia—This wine has enough oak to stand up to barbecue, but isn’t overdone with wood. ($13)

2005 Longwood The Sheep Shearer, McLaren Vale—Full bodied, rich and juicy. “This wine rocks” ($18)

2005 Erath Pinot Noir, Oregon—A good, solid Pinot and a favoite with grilled salmon. ($16)

Events & Adventures
The sun is out and so are we—camping, hiking, biking, boating. I always bring along some snacks and a bottle of wine from home. Not having to tote a corkscrew or worry about a broken cork suits me just fine.

2004 Houge Merlot, Columbia Valley—Washington State makes great Merlot and this is a wonderul example of how fruit forward and supple it can be. ($9)

2004 La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Luberon Blanc, Rhône—This soft, balanced blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Roussanne gave us the old-world fix we were looking for. ($8)

2004 Nugan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia—This spicy, earthy, rich wine is possibly the best overall value. ($12)