Hogue moves three-quarters to screwcap

Washington state producer Hogue Cellars is putting its entire Fruit Forward line – 70% of production – in Stelvin screwcaps.

The move comes after the winery ran a comprehensive study which found screwcaps keep wine fresher than any other closure.

The panel, comprising Hogue winemakers and wine trade professionals, tasted a 1999 Hogue Genesis Merlot and a Hogue Fruit Forward Chardonnay at six-monthly intervals.

Each wine was bottled with natural cork, synthetic Neo cork, synthetic Supreme Corq, Stelvin screwcap with Etain liner and Stelvin screwcap with Saranex liner.

‘We have come to the conclusion that Stelvin screwcaps best preserve the quality of wine in the bottle,’ said David Forsyth, director of winemaking at Hogue.

UK high street retailer Oddbins announced today that from next year it will sell 40% of its wine in screwcaps. The company says they make life easier and improve the wine.

‘By using a screwcap bottle we are getting fresher wine, which is what everyone wants,’ said Grant Ramage, senior wine buyer.

Written by Jack Martin