10th September, 2012 by Patrick Schmitt - This article is over multiple pages: 1 2
A trial using first growth Bordeaux has shown how closure type affects a wine’s evolution over almost 10 years, and the results aren’t quite as expected.
To better understand what motivates winemakers to choose a cork, screwcap or synthetic closure we spoke to three highly-respected figures for the August edition of the drinks business (pages 32-37), each of whom have opted for something different.
Initially, however, we profiled one winemaker who has trialled different ways to seal his prized wines for almost 10 years in what must be the most high profile experiment in the history of the closure debate.
The results had been kept under wraps until an event earlier this year in London, where wines aged under the different closures were shown blind, and the drinks business, which was present, reported on the findings.
However, in time for August’s edition of db, which contained a focus on closures, we went back to the winemaker – Chateau Margaux’s Paul Pontallier – and asked him what he would do if screwcap proved better than cork for closing and ageing first growth Bordeaux.
An anlysis of the experiment and his views can be read here.
Over the next few days we will bring you opinions from further winemakers who are adamant that their closure choice is the best – whether it’s screwcap, cork or synthetic.
