Don’t Let Screwcaps Scare You
It used to be that a wine with a screw top was considered “cheap” and/or inferior to those stopped with corks. And though some studies suggest that wines tend to age better when a cork is used to seal a bottle, the truth is that the enclosure used has no effect on wines that will be opened and enjoyed within a year of bottling — and that accounts for at least 90% of all the wine consumed in the USA. Because of this, and the fact that screwcaps (a.k.a., stelvin enclosures) are simply more convenient and immune to “cork taint” (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole, or “TCA”), we are seeing many, many wine bottles that don’t require a corkscrew — at all price points, and for all quality levels.
A number of bottles in the Opici Wines portfolio are enclosed with screwcaps, and one of them — Due Torri Pinot Noir — was recently highlighted as #3 on Wisebread’s list of 10 Great Wines Under 10 Dollars:
Due Torri Pinot Noir 2009 (Italy)
Don’t be fooled by the screw top; this wine can compete with any of its corked counterparts. Dry and soft, this wine loves pesto or a rare steak. It has a velvety texture and an oaky finish that is perfectly balanced and easy going down. Though slightly higher in price, this wine is well worth the money.
Indeed, Due Torri Pinot Noir is one of the best bargains in Pinot Noir you’ll find, and it stays true to the varietal’s fresh and easygoing character. Due Torri is a secondary brand produced by Cesari — the winery best known for its fabulous Amarone wines.
Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio
For three years, fans of “The Real Housewives of New York City” have been asking Ramona Singer, “what is your favorite Pinot Grigio?”.
Though it may have come across as coy, Ramona was always hesitant to answer — because the truth was, she jumped from brand to brand, trying to find the Pinot Grigio she liked the best.
Finally — and with the help of Opici Wines — she found her favorite. She liked it so much, in fact, she decided to put her name on it: Ramona Pinot Grigio.
Ramona Pinot Grigio is made from 100% Pinot Grigio grown in the picturesque, hilly Veneto region of Italy — the home of Romeo and Juliet, gorgeous Lake Garda, and distinctive wines that pair with the legendary local cuisine. The wine has just arrived and working its way into stores throughout the USA right now. If you have trouble finding it, you can order it online here. The suggested retail price is $14.99.
