TWIST OFF CAPS EVEN FOR DOC AND DOCG WINES? THE OPINION OF ANDREA SARTORI (PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN WINE UNION) AND PIERO MASTROBERARDINO (PRESIDENT OF FEDERVINI)

The norms that ban the use of twist off corks for DOCG wines were stipulated by a decree in 1993. But, considering the continuous evolution of the international markets, a revision may be needed. The letter by David Gleave (a London wine importer) makes an explicit request for this revision, with admonishments of the weakening of competitiveness for Italian wines if this is not done. www.winenews.it asked in an exclusive interview with Andrea Sartori, President of the Italian Wine Union, and Piero Mastroberardino, President of Federvini, what they thought of this proposition.
Sartori’s position was very firm, “We will, without a doubt, press for the use of twist off corks and even alternative types of containers, welcoming a review of the 1993 decree. However, there are some DOC wines that are already allowed various exceptions. Naturally, we will exclude DOCG wines from this modification, while we will ask for the maximum liberty for IGT wines”.
For Piero Mastroberardino, on the other hand, it is “…a delicate matter. From a cultural point of view, I do not like cork alternatives, but I know that, at the same time, the markets demands them. Of course, before making any reckless decisions, the question must be confronted in a serious manner, starting with our pyramid of quality. There are some DOCG wines that, due to their diffusion and price range position, would not risk any damage from an alternative type of cork. On the contrary, they could instead benefit. But there are other DOCG, and even IGT wines that, due to their limited diffusion and higher price range positioning, that must continue to use traditional cork wood”.