The Italian Ministry of Agriculture has ratified a new decree permitting the use of a screw cap closure on some DOCG Italian quality wines. The amendment, however, does not stretch to wines that include a sub-zone or the name of a vineyard on the label.

This change has come about following lengthy debates dating back to 2006 whereby Liberty Wines, an English wine importer, asked for a change in the law that only allowed cork to be used as a closure for the top Italian quality DOCG wines.

David Gleave, the managing director of Liberty Wines, argued that his company currently imports premium French wines such as Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru and other such European wines sealed under screw cap, so why cannot this be applied to Italy’s top DOCG wines?

Following the recent change to the original 1993 decree, however, he is not happy with the outcome, describing it as a “crass compromise”.

“As from early next year, we expect to start shipping a Soave Classico under screw cap. But here is the rub. We can ship both a Soave Classico and a Soave Superiore DOCG under screw cap, but not a Soave Classico Superiore DOCG. This latter wine needs to be sealed with cork. Such a crass compromise does little to promote the image of Italy as a quality-focused and innovative wine-producing country,” Gleave said.

The decree has removed the obstacle previously placed in the way of those producers who wanted to use screw caps but does underline the fact that local consortia must instigate any change.

Once the majority of members of any consortium vote in favour of a change, the amended law for that particular zone must be sent to Rome for approval. So far, producers of Chianti, Gavi and Barolo and Barbaresco have applied to implement the change.