Wine Consumers Say Screw Caps Offer Same Quality as Corks

Survey Also Reveals Screw Caps “OK” for Restaurant Wine Lists

VENTURA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Most wine lovers view wines with screw caps to be the same quality as wines with corks, according to a recent survey by The California Wine Club. www.cawineclub.com.

“In fact, one survey responder told us that screw caps don’t make the wine – the winemakers do. That goes to show that consumers are more savvy than we sometimes give them credit for”

The California Wine Club conducted a survey this month asking their members to compare wines with screw caps against wines with corks. More than 50 percent of responders viewed screw caps as having the same quality, while 35 percent believed they were less quality. Only 2 percent of respondents believed screw caps were of higher quality, while 10 percent said they did not drink wines with screw caps.

This is welcoming news to the wine industry. The July 31, 2007 issue of Wine Spectator reported recent data on the rising trends towards screw cap acceptability among consumers. Daniel Sogg wrote, “A screw cap was once proof positive that a bottle’s contents were lower-end. No longer: the metal closures now seal wines sold at all price points from diverse producers. While consumers expressed resistance at first, they now seem to be accepting that good – even great – wines can come under metal closures.” This statement comes on the heels of data by ACNielsen, an international marketing firm, which shows sales in the U.S. for screw cap wines increased almost 25 percent in 2006.

“The California Wine Club has featured wines with screw caps for several years now because our customers know these wines are good quality,” admitted Bruce Boring, co-founder of The California Wine Club. “In fact, one survey responder told us that screw caps don’t make the wine – the winemakers do. That goes to show that consumers are more savvy than we sometimes give them credit for,” he added.

In related questions, 65 percent of respondents said they would not be disappointed if the wine they ordered at a restaurant arrived in a screw cap. The responders were split on whether or not restaurant wine lists should list which wines come in screw caps, with 50.5 percent saying yes, and 49.5 percent saying no. More than 1,200 wine lovers responded to this online survey.

About California Wine Club

The California Wine Club was started in 1990 by Bruce and Pam Boring. This popular club is one of the largest wine clubs in the country, focused exclusively on California’s smallest boutique family-run wineries. The Borings spend countless hours traveling through California’s wine regions, meeting with owners and winemakers, while sampling thousands of wines with one goal in mind: seeking out the very best wines California has to offer and sharing them only with their members. Currently, they have over 15,000 club members from across the country, ranging from beginners just discovering wine to the most serious wine aficionados and collectors.

Joining the club is very simple and flexible. With a click of a mouse or a simple phone call, wine lovers leave a credit card on file, which is billed right before the wines ship. There is no membership fee; the club offers a 100% money back guarantee on all the wines; and members can cancel anytime. Members choose from options of white wine only, red wine only, or a combination of both. There is also a Signature Series level club that offers members very rare, highly rated, extraordinary wines and an International Selections level club offering outstanding wines from across the globe.

Membership in The California Wine Club is ideal for anyone seeking to expand their own wine knowledge or to discover new wines. A gift membership is a popular option for family, friends, and business colleagues, especially during the peak gifting holidays, such as Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, work promotions, and graduations. Join for yourself or send a gift to someone you love at www.cawineclub.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Images are available upon request.