Choosing between cork and screw cap closures can significantly impact your wine’s marketability. The best choice aligns with the type of wine, your brand identity and message and your primary packaging. When the closure reinforces those elements, it will enhance the consumer’s experience and help boost your sales. For example, if sustainability is a core value, promoting the eco-friendly aspects of natural cork can resonate well with your audience. Conversely, highlighting the practical benefits of screw caps can reinforce a brand message of innovation and modernity.

“With all the industry improvements in both corks and screw caps over the past decade, the choice between them is very telling of what the winemaker desires to tell the consumer,” explains Bill Lutz, the president and owner of Waterloo Container. “When they have a fresh-tasting white and want the consumer to know this wine can be consumed young and will taste exactly as they intended, they may choose a screw cap. When they want to send the message that this wine is truly something special, they may choose a premium cork to seal the bottle. The majority of our customers that have transitioned to screwcap are still bottling some of their wines in traditional cork to capture both markets.”

The Tradition of Cork

• Natural Elegance: Natural cork has been the preferred closure for wine bottles for centuries. Its traditional appeal and the ritualistic element of opening a corked bottle resonate with many wine enthusiasts who value the experience and heritage associated with cork.
• Breathability: Corks provide a natural seal that allows minute amounts of oxygen to interact with the wine over time. This slow, controlled oxidation can benefit certain wines, particularly those meant to age.
• Premium Perception: Cork closures often carry the perception of quality and prestige. This impression can influence purchasing decisions, particularly for consumers seeking wines for special occasions or gifts.
• Sustainability: Natural cork is biodegradable and recyclable, which appeals to eco-conscious consumers.

The Modern Efficiency of Screw Caps

Screw caps have grown to serve as closures for almost one-third of the world’s still wines. Producers in some countries have fully adopted screw caps. Virtually all of New Zealand’s still wines use screw caps, and its Australian neighbor isn’t far behind, while other countries like Switzerland are enthusiastically adopting these aluminum alternatives. In the US, adoption is more gradual.

“Many local wineries have transitioned from cork to screwcap packaging for the convenience of their customers,” notes George Hall, Sales Director for Waterloo Container. “They tell me that shoppers grabbing wine to go are more likely to choose a wine off the shelf that they can open without a corkscrew.” 

• Consistency and Reliability: Long-skirted, machine-applied screw caps offer a consistency that natural corks cannot always guarantee, providing a dependable seal and eliminating the risk of cork taint.
• Convenience: One of the most significant advantages of screw caps is their ease of use. They are simple to open and reclose, making them ideal for casual wine drinkers and situations where convenience is a priority.
• Preservation: Screw caps excel at preserving the freshness and intended characteristics of the wine, and some manufacturers offer a choice of liners for variable breathability.
• Changing Perceptions: As more consumers become educated about the advantages of screw caps, their acceptance and preference for them is growing, leading many premium wineries to adopt screw caps to capitalize on their benefits.

Packaging and Equipment Considerations

While obvious to an experienced winemaker, home winemakers and start-ups often struggle with the reality that a closure must be compatible with the bottle to create a reliable seal and perform as expected.

• Corks: There are manual and machine corkers in wineries of all sizes, but consider equipment and labor costs and the number of bottles to be filled when choosing which closure type makes sense for your production.
• Screw caps: Long-skirted screw caps require machine application, and the equipment can be costly, so consider the return on investment carefully.

“Wineries marketing aged reds or messaging to a more sophisticated palate still want traditional cork-finished packaging,” says Hall. “The choice links to price point, yet cost alone has become a lesser consideration with the increase of mobile bottlers and co-packing facilities that can apply either closure.”

The choice between cork and screw cap closures is more than just a technical decision; it is a strategic one that can influence your wine’s marketability. Both closures have unique advantages, and understanding these can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your wine’s characteristics and brand identity. It’s always wise to check with an expert package provider like Waterloo Container to ensure the closure works with your bottle. Explore Waterloo Container’s range of high-quality screw caps and natural corks and assess their advantages at waterloocontainer.com.

screw cap cork closure