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Michel Laroche of Domaine LaRoche

So what is it about the 'cork vs. screwcap' controversy that is so fascinating?

Perhaps it is because we are still in the process of discovering if screwcap is really the answer to preserving the quality of wine. Right now, it is a heated subject in the trade with different closure methods introduced all the time.

Today the Wine Media Guild had the rare and very special opportunity to taste test 'cork vs. screwcap' for the second time. Those of us lucky enough to be present in 2007 (myself included) tasted the 2002 vintage of various cru wines from Domaine LaRoche in both cork and screwcap.  The remaining bottles (both cork and screwcap) were stored in the cellar of President Emeritus Jonathan Levine for the past four years.

Today the bottles were brought to Felidia, where we have our lunches, and Michel Laroche was kind enough to return and speak about them.

Below you can see the scores of "cork vs. screwcap" from members.

As for myself, I preferred the crown cap on the sparkling wine, and the cork on the Saint Martin, the les Vaudevey, and the les Blanchots. The les Clos seemed fresher with the Screwcap.
 

Wine Media Guild of NY
October 5, 2011
Cork vs. Alternate Closures Part II
Speaker: Michel Laroche, Domaine Laroche

Number = number of preference votes in 2011
BOLD indicates the wine was the preferred bottle in 2007.
** indicates “strongly preferred” In 2007

WHITE WINES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14 Chandon Prestige Etoile Brut, MV Cork
5 Chandon Prestige Etoile Brut, MV Crown Cap
1 No preference

9 Chandon Prestige Etoile Rose, MV Cork
5 Chandon Prestige Etoile Rose, MV Crown Cap
2 No preference

10 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin 2002 Cork
12 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin 2002 Screw Cap **
1 No preference

4 Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru les Vaudevey 2002 Cork
17 Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru les Vaudevey 2002 Screw Cap **
1 No preference

16 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru les Blanchots 2002 Cork
8 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru les Blanchots 2002 Screw Cap
1 No preference

16 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru les Clos 2002 Cork
5 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru les Clos 2002 Screw Cap
1 No preference

4 Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Chardonnay 2005 Cork
9 Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Chardonnay 2005 Screw Cap
4 No preference

4 Jean-Claude Boisset Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2005 Cork
7 Jean-Claude Boisset Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2005 Screw Cap
4 No preference

RED WINES

9 Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005 Cork **
2 Jean-Claude Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005 Screw Cap
3 No preference

7 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Tri County 2002 Cork
7 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Tri County 2002 Diam Cork **
1 No preference

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