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Have you ever heard somebody say that if a bottle of wine has a screw top instead of a cork that it must be low quality and cheap? I have. It’s one of those assumptions that people make, just like the one where they say that gluten free is the end all be all way to lose weight and be healthy. *eye roll* Well I’m here to play myth buster today because all wine deserves a fair chance and quite frankly, the cork versus screw top debate is silly.

Let’s start with the cork. Not the rubber kind that’s kind of spongy on each end (not hating on them I’m just not talking about them right now), but an actual cork. Corks are made from cork oak from cork trees also known as Quercus suber. These trees are native to the southwestern region of Europe and the northwestern region of Africa. Cork can only be stripped to make wine corks, as well as many other products that use high quality cork, every nine years. Anything used before maturity to seal wine bottles were more likely to produce cork taint (undesirable smells and flavors) in the final product. Keep that in mind as we move forward with this post.

High demand and low supply of quality corks is what led wine producers in New Zealand to use and market the screw top on their wine bottles. New Zealand wine producers saw a high demand for wine and the corks just couldn’t keep up. Every nine years for a fresh supply wasn’t really going to cut it. These producers weren’t cool with the idea of using subpar corks that could ruin their product so they partnered with producers in Australia to launch the International Screw Top Initiative. (Screw tops actually entered the wine world in 1959 in France but it took a long time to catch on. The New Zealanders and Australians used clever marketing to really make it happen).

In short, a bottle of wine with a screw top is potentially much better than a bottle of wine with a cork if that cork is less than ideal. That being said …

If you really want to break it down, wines that are meant to be aged fare better with a traditional cork as the cork allows it to breathe a bit. Screw tops are great for any wine best consumed young that doesn’t need to breathe before being enjoyed.

So there ya have it, short and sweet. The next time somebody turns up their nose to a bottle with a screw top on it, teach them this lesson, or c’est la vie, more wine for you.

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

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