Talk:Screw cap

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An additional arguement toward screwcaps would also be the depletion of the Cork Oak (Quercus suber)in Southern Europe and North Africa. There is currently a shortage of sources for cork. As a result use of those artificial corks has also increased. These retain their shape and are another alternative to wine corks.

Actually, as I understand it, this is an argument against screwcaps. If demand for cork falls, then ancient cork-oak forests will likely be grubbed up and replaced with other more profitable crops. Cork is a natural and sustainable product, and the oak plantations provide valuable wildlife habitats, so the demise of natural cork stoppers could be bad news from an environmental point of view. A couple of links to read: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2003/3/Cork.cfm http://www.acfnewsource.org/environment/cork_crisis.html Do you think this point is worthy of inclusion? 143.252.80.110 14:16, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

Not very scientific, but I've noticed more Australian wines using screwcaps/ rubber "corks" than American/ European wines. JD79 04:48, 8 February 2006 (UTC)