Evaluating an innovative glass closure
The client
The Vinolok glass closure is manufactured in the Czech Republic and used worldwide by the
wine and spirits sector. The company prides itself on developing unique and elegant
closures, using sustainable practices.
The challenge
The Vinolok glass closure provided a viable alternative to established wine closures, such as
screwcaps and cork, but the original diameter of the closure meant that a custom bottle was
required for it to be used. A new Vinolok closure was developed with a diameter that was
suitable for standard bore glass bottles. The performance of this new closure had to be
comparable with that of the previous version, in order to encourage further adoption in the
wine sector.
Vinolok approached Affinity Labs to gather objective data on the development of commercial
red and white wines under the new diameter closure and compare this with the original
closure.
The solution
Chemical, physical and sensory analysis were carried out on two commercial wines (one
white, one red) at regular intervals over a three-year period, to evaluate the impact of the two
Vinolok closures, alongside established natural cork and screw-cap closures.
Results showed that wines under the two Vinolok closures developed in a comparable way,
with no significant differences in colour or sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) depletion.
The wines under the Vinolok closures exhibited intense ‘tropical fruit’ aroma (white wine) and
‘red fruit’ aroma (red wine) in comparison with the wines sealed with the established
reference closures after three years of ageing.
The outcome
The results provided winemakers with the confidence to consider Vinolok closures as a
viable and effective solution for their wine products.
‘This trial provided objective evidence that the new Vinolok closure does not affect wine
evolution and offers the same mechanical sealing properties as the original closure. The
chemical analysis and sensory data provides our customers with critical information on how
wines age under Vinolok over three years.’
Edina Kiss, Technical Project Manager, Vinolok.
