I have some really nice screw cap bottles from scotch and tequilla. They're definitley not traditional wine bottles, but very nice bottles anyway, so I want to use a few for some wine.
Has anyone else done this, and are these type of screw caps good for long term storage (3 years max)? The caps all seem in good shape, I guess I'm just a little paranoid about using them.
You will probably get several comments from "tradionalist" who think only corks should be used for wine, but I have been using (and reusing) screw caps for over 30 years and have had wonderful experience. And Yes, I store wine for many years that way, opened one last week that was 10 years old and it aged just fine. Many commericial wines are now being offered with screw caps as studies are proving them to be very effective and providing the bonus of not risking "corked" wine. Go for it! Larry
I use them a lot... I have never had a problem
A. J. Rawls Anchorage, Alaska, USA
If you are in doubt about the ability of the screw cap to seal tightly, first fill the bottle with water, cap and let it stand upside down for
24 hours and see if it leaks. If no water cames out, it is sealed and air won't leak in>Larry
A more stringent test would be to half fill the bottle with hot water, shake it good, then cap it and stand it up for 24 hours. Shaking before capping will heat the air space. As it cool and the hot air and liquid contract it will create a fair pressure. If the cap will hold this pressure it should be sealing well. After all, with wine, you are more interested in keeping oxidizing air out than wine in. And gas will get through a space that water will have great trouble getting through.
Ray
You could also add some vinegar and baking sode to the bottle and then cap it. A slight dip in some soapy water will quickly show bubbles if there is a leak.
I've been considering using some whiskey bottles for wine for some time now and think I will give it a try for the next carboy.
Don
Yes, but be carefull anytime you pressurize a glass bottle as not to make a bomb. The hot/cold idea is better as the pressure will not be that great. you could do a similar thing with pop. put some carbonated pop in there, and shake it. It won't give off the same amount of co2 that the vinigar does, but thats the point.
email: dallyn_spam at yahoo dot com please respond in this NG so others can share your wisdom as well!
Hi...even better than all this fun stuff....try your local wine/brew shop and see if they have any new screw caps for sale.....most bottles are universal fit i believe....save time and energy i say.....andy j.
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