Veggie Dave > wrote:

> What about artificial corks? Surely they have the practicality
> of screw-caps yet retain the romance of cork?

Synthetic corks lose their sealing ability within 12 to 24 months
after bottling. From that time on, the wines age prematurely and
at an increasing pace. From the whites I open after three years,
80 and more percent are alreday noticeably oxidized.

Btw, I don't see any "romance" in cork stoppers. It's all about
the wine performing well in the glass - and nothing about anything
else.

After all - it's only a closure!

M.