Yes fair enough cork has its problems, however visiting a cork factory last summer showed there is much being done to remedy the TCA (cork taint) problem. The use of cork is either a philosophical move by the winemaker or the desire of a very slow oxygenation of the wine which helps maturation and allows the wine to be able to be drunk at its peak.

The big problem with the cork industry is not the major cork producers but the black market in dodgy corks from rubbish cork with high TCA. Quality corks are expensive so I have a question?

If you were a QUALITY producer who was going to sell your wine at say £20 a bottle and you virtually have a nervous breakdown each year with worry about the crop and do everything to make the best quality wine then it is fair to assume that you would buy the best quality cork possible. Quality corks have little TCA risk, next time you open a bottle of wine look at the cork, if there is little or no black marbling on it, it is the best cork, if it has black marbling then it is from poorer cork with the marbling being cracks in the wood where the TCA starts.

There is also the issue of sustainability, cork forests preserve a natural ecosystem with often animals grazing on the floor beneath, that is definately more eco than screwcaps.

Screwcaps and plastic bottles have their place. Screwcaps are great for preserving fresh and fruity wines, the best example I can think of is New Zealand sauvignon. The preserving or technically reductive characteristics do have their problems. They do not let the wine mature. I remember trying a grand cru Chablis from Domaine Laroche (£35) which was three years old, it was big fat and aggressive from the oak as if it had just been bottled. To me that is as bad as cork taint, a wine fault that is reducing my enjoyment of a wine.

I also did try a plastic bottle pink last summer for a picnic and I thought it made sense. It was lighter to carry (and therefore more environmental to ship), I did not have to worry about that glass bottle breaking and once consumed takes up alot less room than a big useless empty glass bottle.

Each closure to their own. My favourite saying is stick to the reliable producers and you will have less problems because they care that you enjoy the wine they have slaved over. Do not be scared of cork. If you buy wine at 3 bottles for a tenner, then worry and stay clear of cork and for that matter I would be worried about the actual wine.

Finally alot of the bad press about cork taint comes from wine competitions and guess what, most of these wines are not £100 a bottle but sub £10. Be critical with what you read!

Sorry for this essay got carried away, going to have a cuppa!

Wishing you both every success.