Chateau Margaux experiments with screw caps and organic farming

Chateau Margaux is busy experimenting with different growing methods and alternative wine closures to cork. Managing director Paul Pontallier presented 16 wines at an event in London, including wines produced using organic and biodynamic farming methods, which were rated more highly than those conventionally farmed among the trade members at the tasting.

Also unveiled were experiments with alternative wine closures on the Chateau Margaux's second wine, Pavillon Rouge. According to Pontallier their trials on synthetic corks were ‘absolutely catastrophic' but screw caps had fared better. A 2003 red wine sealed with an impermeable screwcap closure was preferred to the same wine sealed with a cork or a permeable screwcap, both in trials and with the panel.

Pontallier indicated that organic farming was the future direction for Margaux but said it was difficult to draw conclusions on closures and every time they do the experiments, they never reach an agreement.