Screw Tops

From what I have learned over the last several years from winemakers and others, the use of the cork is, these days, solely due to the nostalgia for the old ways. The common critique of the screw top is that it does not allow the wine to age vs. the cork, which due to its cellular structure, both helps seal the wine and also allows for a certain exchange of oxygen that helps wines continue to age. Screw tops, however, can and are now being made with micro-holes in them, that actually allow for the same exchange of oxygen. Furthermore, not only is this now possible, but because the screw tops are manufactured, the exact rate of exchange can be calculated, meaning that aging wine will be much less of a crap shoot, and much more of a scientific process, for the wine makers and for the consumers. While maybe a little less romantic than going into the cellar, grabbing an old bottle, and praying to the wine gods that it is still good, a more disciplined and exact approach should make the experience better for everyone, without sacrificing the aging that some of the great wines are able to continue to do once they have been bottled. Finally, screw tops are much cheaper than corks, and so while it may currently seem to be "lower" quality, there are many advantages and limited downside (other than perceived quality) to using a screw top with aeration.