Local wInery  introduces a new-look wine closure
 

One of the main problems associated with screwcaps as closures for wine bottles has been their image: screwcaps look rather too much like, well, those metal caps that screw onto cheap bottles of this and that, and come off with a less-than-resounding tinkle. In order to make for a more traditional appearance – without the thread of the screwcap dominating the look of things – externally smooth screwcaps have been developed.

Normally with screwcaps, the metal top itself is moulded around the thread on the bottle. The smooth-looking alternative has an insert, within the metal sleeve, which is what is cri mped to make the actual engagement with the glass-moulded screw. The process has the added benefit of  making the seal less vulnerable to damage by  a hard knock.

Zorgvliet Wines , in Stellenbosch,  claims to be the first producer to come out with the WAK threadless screwcap, made by Guala. Four white wines in their Silver Myn range will shortly appear in this guise. One hopes that innocent customers will not be fooled by the lack of external thread into attempting to wield their corkscrews

• Link to the Zorgvliet website