The Wine Knows

It's interesting to see the multi-front approach being taken by Supreme Corq. A recent study the Kent, Wash., company released shows its "X2" closure is retaining more free S02 than "tree bark" closures over a two-year study period.

On the other side of the battle, the study reveals that wines taste just as good after two years as those in screwcaps "without the time, expense and reduction risk of moving to screwcaps."

In other words, the synthetic closure company is taking on cork and screwcap companies.

Supreme Corq was a hit nearly a decade ago but has had hard times because of issues with oxidation and difficulty getting the closure out (and back in). Hogue Cellars once used Supreme Corq for 75 percent of its wines. All of that has moved to screwcaps.

Such issues are addressed in the latest missive from the company. If Supreme Corq has, in fact, solved its oxidation issues, it might still be able to expand its business. However, synthetics now have a reputation for that problem, which will be difficult to overcome.