Beyond the Bottle: Are the Wine Myths You’ve Heard Really True?
The world of wine is overflowing with myths—some are true, some are utterly absurd, and others just add to the mystique that wine is an exclusive pastime for the elite. Well, it’s time to uncork the truth about wine, and learn something fun while we’re at it. So, grab your favorite bottle, get comfy, and learn a little something about your evening glass of vino!
Bottled is Best
One of the most commonly believed myths in the wine industry revolves around packaging itself. Many connoisseurs turn their noses up to alternatively packaged wine, but many don’t realize that the cuts consumers see in cost of wine with alternative packaging comes from shipping and packaging itself not in the actual process of making the wine. In addition to increasing accessibility of well-crafted wine by decreasing costs, alternative modes of packaging also allow for smaller portions and overall convenience for consumers.
In Proletariat’s case, while we of course sell our lines of bottled wine, we were born from a vision of sustainability and accessibility, to package our premium wines crafted by our talented and experienced head winemaker Sean Boyd in reusable stainless-steel kegs. This innovative approach not only made wine more affordable but also tackled environmental concerns by minimizing waste. The outcome was a budget-friendly, eco-conscious solution that delivered great wine at a reasonable price for everyone.
There are a handful of reasons why alternative packaging can be a great strategy for wineries and their enthusiasts but containing wine that is not worth drinking is not one of those reasons! Come on by our tasting room and give our wines on tap a taste! We promise you’ll walk away with this first myth busted!
Great Wine has Cork Stoppers not Twist offs
This next myth is similarly rooted in our great American aversion to alternatives in packaging. While the belief that wine bottles with cork stoppers are superior to those with twist off tops is utterly untrue, it is also widely held. The notion that its what’s on the inside that matters might be cheesy, but this is another one of those cases where we forget that it is the contents of the wine; the winemaking process and the quality of the grapes, that matters most. This myth often has an aesthetic root, but even in consideration of the types of closure, screw caps might actually be more effective for wine preservation. Generally speaking, screw tops perform better in the protection of wine from harmful oxidation and are chosen over corks to prevent issues like cork-taint; the dulling of flavors by a cork that is contaminated by molds or chemicals. This is a rare issue associated with corks, but screw tops take the risk of cork-taint from rare to never. Twist off tops also contribute toward environmental consciousness, reducing the waste associated with cork production and transportation and are made with recyclable materials. The use of screw caps also aids Proletariat, and wineries who favor them, by increasing accessibility in the general convenience of leaving your corkscrew wine opener at home. But this isn’t all that screw caps can do, which leads us to our next myth.
Only Corked Wine Can Be Aged
Many people have been influenced by traditional views that associate corks with aging and quality to believe that screw caps are only suitable for young wines that cannot age well overtime. This is entirely untrue and again twist off caps surprise us! Twist off caps are often selected for their efficacy in the protection and aging process of wines. They provide a consistent seal and controlled oxygen exposure, which are crucial for aging wine. Many high-quality wines are now sealed with screw caps and age beautifully, debunking the myth that screw tops are unsuitable for aging. At Proletariat, our screw tops make for a wine that is approachable and easy to drink at release and is able to be stored in a cellar for later consumption. So, the next time you twist a screw top off of your favorite bottle of Prolo wine and take that first satisfying sip you’ll see that great wine doesn’t need a cork to impress!
The More Expensive the Wine the Better it Tastes
The belief that wines quality is directly tied to its cost overlooks the artistry and personal expression involved in winemaking. According to our head winemaker, Sean Boyd, wine is a deeply personal experience—there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy it or to discover what you love. The widespread misconception that price equals quality has overshadowed the view of wine as an art form and reduced it to a mere commodity.
This myth, while untrue when generalized and lacking context, does touch on some truths worth considering. There are monetary factors in winemaking including the use of machines versus human labor, the scale of the wine company in question, and the reputation of the land where the grapes are grown. These factors vary from wine to wine and should be considered alongside characteristics of the individual wine such as the winemakers process and intent, the flavors and aromas of the wine and personal experiences with it.
Our wines at Proletariat mirror our passion for sharing the love of wine with everyone in their affordability without lacking the quality that makes our premium wines what they are. Our wine making team’s fingerprints are on every stage of the wine making process as they thoughtfully and diligently guide nature in its production of our grapes. Sean’s passion for his old-world and natural blends begins at the vineyards where we get our grapes in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho with a wide range of varietals and leads to the creation of amazing wines. In our case, our mission for accessibility inspiring our motto ‘all for wine and wine for all’ has resulted in high-quality wines at lower costs and serves as a testimony to the inaccuracy of the myth that a high-dollar wine is the best wine. In reality, you can find a great wine for under fifteen dollars, and you can also purchase a one hundred dollar bottle that you’ll be tempted to pour down the drain. Before checking the price tag, invest in learning the stories behind your wines and their vines!
Legs or Tears on a Wine Glass Indicates Quality
You’ve probably experienced the satisfying sensation of gently swirling your wine to produce the finely formed droplets of your favorite wine; a great exercise for learning more about your pour! The legs that appear on your glass of wine after swirling it is an indicator of many characteristics of your wine but contrary to popular belief does not determine quality. In truth, legs are an indication of a certain viscosity and higher alcohol content. Alcohol evaporates at a quicker rate, so that when you swirl your wine, the concentration of the wine increases creating a thin film on the outside of your glass. This higher level of alcohol creates a thicker more full-bodied texture which many wine lovers mistakenly associate with a higher quality. These characteristics do not determine quality but rather form your own personal preferences in wine consumption!
You Can Ditch the Hangover with Sulfite-Free Wines
The message that sulfites cause hangovers has become so widely believed that there are devices made to test and remove sulfites in your wines on the market, and yet it is untrue. Sadly, there is no magic cure for hangovers, especially not in the removal of sulfites from wine. These sulfites serve to preserve wine and, unless you have a particular sensitivity to them, play little to no role in the development of hangover symptoms. Instead, it is the dehydrating effect of the alcohol content that results in a hangover. So do your best to accompany your Prolo flight with a tall glass of water and future you will be thankful!
These myths are a few of the many amusing beliefs wine lovers hold. In our passion for wine and mission to share that with the world, we hope that debunking some of these myths can deepen your appreciation for wine and inform your journey of discovering what you love! Next time you hear one of these myths circulating jump in and spread some truth!