Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/144804
CLOSURES On the other hand, Trinchero Family Estates' Trinity Oaks wine brand is now being bottled with capsules made from a "carbon-neutral biopolymer." The capsules are produced by Plastic Suppliers Inc. and Maverick Enterprises with a polylactic acid film. The film is compostable, and the aluminum top disk is recyclable. Given a choice, Britton also opts for aluminum screwcaps. "The technology and decoration capabilities have greatly improved over the years. Screwcaps work well with all tiers of wine and are user friendly," she commented. Preventing problems As with other packaging elements, problems can surface inconveniently on the bottling line (see "Avoid Label Mishaps" in Wines & Vines' May 2011 issue), forcing delays and increasing costs. Planning ahead is crucial. Wines & Vines asked: "To your knowledge, have any of your clients experienced any application problems applying capsules/closures on the bottling line?" Sixty-seven percent responded with a flat "No. We've worked those out in advance." The remaining third admitted, "Yes, but we solved them and continued using the same products." Auston commented, "This is usually something that is dealt with between the client and the manufacturer." "The last thing anyone wants is a surprise on the bottling line. If applicators can't fit capsules, it's a disaster," Moon said. "I had one nasty experience with a small run of a high pricepoint bottle that refused to take the special sized capsule. As it turns out, the bottle die line was in error. No one thought to test the fit before bottling day. They were eventually applied, but it was a fight," he recalled. Penniman concurred. "I think every winery has one juicy horror story on the production line. As part of my standard process, I obtain samples for the wineries to use in an equipment/ closure compatibility test run. Working out bugs in advance is crucial. Who wants to have thousands of unusable foils lying around as a botch reminder?" Judy Olsen, owner of By the Light of the Moon Design in Marshall, Va., brings a different perspective—and not just because of her East Coast location. "My husband runs a mobile bottling line, so I have the advantage of knowing what works well in that environment," Olsen said. The biggest issue, she relayed, is getting the correct fit. "Winemakers are often told a bottle is 'just like' the one they used last year, when in reality the neck size is a little different." Pamela R eed Sterling Creativeworks designed a color wheel of screwcap closures of Constellation's CK Mondavi wines. 50 W in es & V i ne s AU G U ST 20 13