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Sep 08, 2023

The great wine debate — cork vs. screw cap vs. boxed

Before we tip a glass or two for this conversation, I want to disclose that I am

Before we tip a glass or two for this conversation, I want to disclose that I am not a sommelier by any stretch of the imagination.

However, in a past career as a sales associate, I needed to learn about the liquor industry, so my wine experience comes from trying different varieties of wine.

This prior experience has also allowed me to address the long-standing debate of cork vs. screw cap vs. boxed wine.

As a frequent business traveler, I am sometimes offered the opportunity to upgrade to first class. The wine for first-class can come in either a glass poured from a bottle, most likely a screw cap, or a smaller sized bottle that is about one glass, also with a screw cap.

On a recent trip from Toronto back home to Denver I was upgraded. I was impressed by how well the wine tasted — and it had nothing to do with the fact that it was free.

The brand was called Red Tree, and a local liquor store near the airport carried it. So, I picked up a couple of bottles and I noticed that even the regular-size bottle had a screw cap.

I too once thought that all good wine needed to be opened via a cork, however, that is not true.

One purpose of enjoying a bottle with a cork, especially at a restaurant, would be to inspect the cork to ensure the wine bottle was correctly stored — which is having the bottle lying flat. As the bottle lies flat, the wine touches the cork, preventing oxidation.

Even with the correct storage, there is the possibility of having a bottle of wine turn bad, which is referred to as "corked."

If you want to expand your knowledge of wine, I suggest checking out Sommelier André Macks at Bon Appetit on YouTube. Macks is very knowledgeable and talks about the world of wine, including wine pairing and how you don't always need to follow the standard white wine with fish rule.

You can choose what you like. Rules are meant to be broken, wine was meant to be enjoyed and wine bottles can have screw caps.

And let's not forget boxed wine. Please don't turn your nose up at me, boxed wine is not that bad.

My wife, Ann, and I tried our first boxed wine several summers ago with a brand called Fish Eye. I am a massive fan of this product, but have also enjoyed Bota Box and Black Box, as well.

The benefit of boxed wine is that you get more "bottles" in a single box. I know the wine snobs would never ever drink wine from a box, however, the wine is sealed very well, tastes great and more boxed wines are showing the vintage year.

If you are nervous about getting wine from a box, don't be because the technology has improved dramatically.

If you are ever in Loveland be sure to make a stop at the Tap And Tavern, 237 E Fourth St., where you can try some delicious boxed wine like Tempranillo.

When I am staying in a city for more than a day or two for work, I have bought boxed wine to keep in my hotel room. After a long day of work, appreciating a chilled red back in the hotel is a stress reliever.

Sure, I have had to drink wine in paper or plastic cups, in my opinion it does lose some flavor. However, I recently bought a tumbler that fits nicely in my suitcase, eliminating having to drink from a paper or plastic cup.

So what's the answer to the cork vs. screw cap vs. boxed question?

The correct answer is to choose what you genuinely enjoy drinking.

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