Did you open that bottle last night with a corkscrew or a twist of the wrist? I'll bet the former but think the latter is marvelous and sincerely hope that more wineries make the move from cork stoppers to screw caps. There are a variety of models on the market to test drive, or turn. The original foil tube that takes a simple turn or two to open. The funky "knot" screw cap that requires an unwrapping and pull from the bottle. And even a nickel sized, slightly indented disc of glass that capped a bottle of Sbragia Sauvignon Blanc that I tasted a few weeks ago.

There are few sounds as enticing as the smooth, deliberate "pop" of a cork being pulled from a bottle. Taste buds awaken and anticipate a glass of fresh, juicy wine.

But what if you HEAR the pop but you don't TASTE it? Instead your nose is sure it got a whiff of wet cardboard, dead mouse or wet dog. And taste buds revolt, as there is nothing there to consummate the tease of the "pop". Chances are this bottle is "corked" or tainted with TCA, a bacterial bad guy that likes to live naturally in cork and also has no problem renting space in synthetic cork stoppers from wineries that aren't too handy about keeping a close watch on the sanitation process that occurs when juice goes from barrel or tank to bottle.

ABC. Anything But Cork might be the newsletter sent by wineries wanting to do as much as possible to ensure consumers a clean, fresh, taste of juice and not the junk that can sometimes tag along.

My mind may change as I've been invited to join four other US journalists on a tour of the Portugal cork forests. Yep, I get to see, feel and learn more about these trees that shed their soul every nine years to make wine stoppers, pricey kitchen flooring and high heeled sandals. Cork is a renewable resource and Portugal's biggest exporter is also its best cheerleader and the host of the trip. Amorim & Irmaos, USA seems to walk the walk when it comes to sustainability, environmental integrity and fair work practices for its thousands of employees.

I'll check it out and let you know if my twist of fate changes. In the meantime, check out these delicious, affordable screw cap wines.

OOPS! Carmenere Rose - Soft aromas and flavors of plum, ginger, mango. Dry yet fruity. Light and refreshing. Great "fire fighter" for wasabi topped and fresh ginger slice enhanced cuisine, i.e., the Fukomati or California roll or any nigiri on the Naked Tchopstix restaurant list.

Two Brothers Big Tattoo Red - Rich, bold, rustic red that offers up a full palate of black cherry, mulberry, white pepper. Big dry wine that loves any kind of red meat or lush, rich cheese. Steak and Stilton. Grilled Burgers stuffed with boursin. Black pepper crusted pork tenderloin.