The Auswine Forum

Hello all

Arakoon wines, thorough owner Ray Jones, has just informed me that all the 2002 releases will be in screwcaps, often better known as Stelvin caps.

This includes their premium reds, and even the super premiums, the Doyen etc.

A brave move in marketing terms and one that, I think, deserves our priaise, and support.

I will certainly be supporting their 2002's when released in a month or so.

I was telling a mate about the recent trend towards Stelvin. He was rather unconvinced that this would become widespread. I mentioned that a number of prestigious wineries are going stelvin (Moss Wood? Howard Park now Arakoon)
Does anyone have a list of wineries going stelvin? It might help to convince the doubters if they knew how many were making the change.

The list of those NOT using Stelvin for any of their wines will be a much shorter one. So far it's Rockford and Mount Mary. Who else is sticking solely with cork?

cheers,
Graeme

Lakes Folly

Gavin Trott wrote:A brave move in marketing terms and one that, I think, deserves our priaise, and support

Yes minister!

Rockford arent jumping on the ROTE bandwagon quickly either,

Andrew

Gavin,

The decision wasn't easy but the signs are there to suggest that Stelvin/ROTE/screwcaps are one of the best available closures at the moment. In terms of consumer confidence, bottling top of the line products in screwcap like Howard Park and Grossett have done, is commendable. Without opening a can of worms - I think this type of closure suits most Australian reds very well. Only time will tell.

The 02s have been released, only we haven't had time to send out samples yet. Demand is building already thanks to the reputation of the 02 vintage, the best I've seen yet!

Cheers,

Patrik

Here's Passing Clouds decision on screwcaps:

Passing Clouds 2003 Newsletter wrote:STELVIN CAPS
Cork taint turns even the cheeriest winemaker into a frightful grump when his carefully tended wine is spoiled – 5% according to the Australian Wine Research Institute. So, as soon as Portavin, our estate bottlers, adapts to take Stelvin screw caps we will join other top producers in using them and screw the expense.

Another convert

Isn't this just the converts choir, singing from the same hymn sheet?

doesn't australia make up less than 8% of the worlds wine total.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't this just the converts choir, singing from the same hymn sheet?

doesn't australia make up less than 8% of the worlds wine total.

And your point is?

Anonymous wrote:Isn't this just the converts choir, singing from the same hymn sheet?

doesn't australia make up less than 8% of the worlds wine total.

I thought it was less than 8%?

If there's concealed glee in these posts, it's because some of us are very keen to see a large reduction in bottle variation in aged wines, and elimination of cork-transmitted TCA.

But I do share your disappointment that more of the world's great winemakers are ensuring a drain-destined future for so many of their wonderful wines by delaying their changeover to a more suitable form of bottle closure...

cheers,
Graeme

[quote="GraemeG

But I do share your disappointment that more of the world's great winemakers are ensuring a drain-destined future for so many of their wonderful wines by delaying their changeover to a more suitable form of bottle closure...

cheers,
Graeme[/quote]

or as befits such a minority you could be entirely wrong...

Anonymous wrote:
or as befits such a minority you could be entirely wrong...

Guest
Yes they could be wrong. Stelvin may not prove to be the perfect closure - I expect better versions of Stelvin, or innovative alternative closures will come along which perform better. I also expect improvements in cork, but from the recent track record, not at the same speed.

What I do know though, is that cork's historical & current performance is unacceptable to me as a consumer. I'm happy to take the risk on Stelvin for a good proportion of my wines, but for the moment I'm content that I'm spreading my risk across different closures & wineries.

As the improvements are made & research becomes known, I will shift the emphasis of the cellar to give me the most reliable cellaring option.

I hope you enjoy your wine, whichever way it is sealed.

Ian

Ian S wrote:I hope you enjoy your wine, whichever way it is sealed.
Ian

Ian,

Thats not alway that easy to do! As much as I am yet to be convinced that Stelvins are the answer (but have an open mind) bloody corks in their present format are unacceptable.

In the last 53 bottles opened (during the last month) 7 of them have suffered from TCA. I am fed up with opening older bottles that I have stored for years to find that the tree bark plug has stuffed it.

I dont care what the solution is, as long as there is a "proven" one asap.

TORB
I guess I really meant "I hope you're all lucky with your choices, whichever argument you believe"
Ian