Cork and cap for Camilleri Wines' 2008 Palatino
Around 20 per cent of this year's vintage of Palatino Sauvignon Blanc and Palatino Merlot will be launched in a screw cap bottle, Camilleri Wines' marketing manager Claudio Camilleri told The Times Business. The wines will be on the market in about six...
Around 20 per cent of this year's vintage of Palatino Sauvignon Blanc and Palatino Merlot will be launched in a screw cap bottle, Camilleri Wines' marketing manager Claudio Camilleri told The Times Business. The wines will be on the market in about six weeks.
"While some of our clients might like the wines' developments in a traditional bottle, we believe these particular varieties will remain fresher in a screw cap bottle," Mr Camilleri explained. "Certain varieties are not complex and do not need to breathe, so the screw cap suits them. The whites will benefit for sure. While the screw cap is not suitable for the Laurenti range, the Palatinos are easier, fresher, crisper wines to enjoy."
While the screw cap has struggled for acceptance in this part of the world, it is no novelty to New World wines. Mr Camilleri points out that Australian and New Zealand wineries have been experimenting with screw cap bottles since the late 1950s.
The New Zealanders are largely converted to screw cap, while over two-thirds of Australian wines have gone the same way, he says.
Mr Camilleri said the screw cap will preserve the two Palatino wines as they are, while at their best. Camilleri Wines' winemaker and viticulturist and their teams were monitoring the vintage before bottling starts in the next few weeks.
The screw cap bottle, bearing an elegant 'skirt', will only differ slightly in height to cork bottles used for the Palatino range.
The Palatinos are Camilleri Wines' strongest range commercially, but Mr Camilleri said the Naxxar winery liked to be bold and bring new ideas to the local market.
"We have absolute confidence in our wine and in the maturity of our audience,"
Mr Camilleri answered when asked what sort of reaction the winery was expecting to the move.
"It would be desirable for the entire Palatino range to go to cap in about three years.
"Whether that happens or not will be determined by the market. We will study the market's reaction and act accordingly."
"While some of our clients might like the wines' developments in a traditional bottle, we believe these particular varieties will remain fresher in a screw cap bottle," Mr Camilleri explained. "Certain varieties are not complex and do not need to breathe, so the screw cap suits them. The whites will benefit for sure. While the screw cap is not suitable for the Laurenti range, the Palatinos are easier, fresher, crisper wines to enjoy."
While the screw cap has struggled for acceptance in this part of the world, it is no novelty to New World wines. Mr Camilleri points out that Australian and New Zealand wineries have been experimenting with screw cap bottles since the late 1950s.
The New Zealanders are largely converted to screw cap, while over two-thirds of Australian wines have gone the same way, he says.
Mr Camilleri said the screw cap will preserve the two Palatino wines as they are, while at their best. Camilleri Wines' winemaker and viticulturist and their teams were monitoring the vintage before bottling starts in the next few weeks.
The screw cap bottle, bearing an elegant 'skirt', will only differ slightly in height to cork bottles used for the Palatino range.
The Palatinos are Camilleri Wines' strongest range commercially, but Mr Camilleri said the Naxxar winery liked to be bold and bring new ideas to the local market.
"We have absolute confidence in our wine and in the maturity of our audience,"
Mr Camilleri answered when asked what sort of reaction the winery was expecting to the move.
"It would be desirable for the entire Palatino range to go to cap in about three years.
"Whether that happens or not will be determined by the market. We will study the market's reaction and act accordingly."