5 JUNE 2004, Page 71

Q. As I am getting on a bit I find

the process of uncorking bottles extremely arduous and fear doing irreparable damage to ray aortic muscles. Can you give me some guidance about any of the wines that come in screwtop bottles? Is it all inevitably second-rate, or are there any good names you can recommend?

J.0., London SW4 A. Times have changed — at least as far as New Zealand wines are concerned. The majority of the Wine Society's New Zealand wines come with screwtops, and the Sauvignons that come from Marlborough are thought to be absolutely acceptable. What is more, says Charlie Wrey of The Vintry (www.vintry.co.uk), screwtops are ideal for pensioners who may not wish to finish a bottle at one sitting. Whites kept cold, he says, will last for almost a week if resealed with a screwtop.