A.W.R.I.'S Long-Term Testing of Oeneo's Diam Cork Closure Continues to Breathe Life into Cork-Based Wine Closure Options.

Company Narrows Focus to Diam Cork and Discontinues Marketing Screw Caps in North America 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Today, at the annual Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, Oeneo Closures announced results from the fourth year of independent testing of its Diam cork by the Australian Wine Research Institute (A.W.R.I.), a world leader in wine closure studies. The Diam continues to excel in testing, demonstrating an ability to maintain character and flavor in wine that exceeds that of other closures.

Using a screw cap as the "control," A.W.R.I. tests demonstrate the Diam cork to equal or surpass the screw cap in a variety of enological and organoleptic parameters. Furthermore, the A.W.R.I. tests show, as they did at the 12-, 24- and 36-month marks, no measurable levels of releasable TCA.

Diam also excelled in independent tests conducted by Riere, a respected, France-based oenology lab. Tested against natural corks and synthetic corks, Diam's superiority was evident, surpassing all other closures in preserving levels of free and total SO2, preventing oxidation, and preventing wine browing. Riere's panel of seasoned wine tasters also preferred Diam over other closures in comparative tastings conducted over a period of 12 months.

Additionally, Riere established a positive statistical correlation between Diam and the presence of fruity aromas. Analyzing test results from blind tastings conducted by the panel, Riere concluded that Diam was the closure that best showcased fruity characteristics of wine.

"I am amazed by Diam's ability to keep wines fresh and preserve aromatic flavors," says Dan Cederquist, head winemaker at Sacramento, Calif.-based, Crew Wine Company. "I first used Diam to bottle my Matchbook wines for the 2004 vintage. Since then, I've decided to use Diam for all my wines. I'm convinced that Diam is the most reliable cork closure on the market."

Diam's reliability continues to be a boon for winemakers, especially as other closure alternatives, such as screw caps, prove to be inconsistent over time. A recent test conducted at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) found that "2.2 per cent of screw top bottles suffered from sulphidisation and other problems connected with the wine not breathing," according to U.K.-based newspaper, the Telegraph. "The effects leave a whiff of sulphur, likened by some to burning rubber, rotten eggs, burnt matches or stink bombs."

Based on the success of Diam, Oeneo also announced that it will no longer market screw cap closures in North America and will concentrate on its sales of the Diam cork. Using the Diamant([R]) technology, Oeneo has created a full line of closures which include Diam (still wine closure), Mytik Diam (sparkling wine closure), and Altop Diam (spirits, natural sweet wine, still wine closure).

"Our decision to stop marketing screw caps is based on the excellent results from the A.W.R.I. and Riere tests, as well as in countless other tests conducted independently by wineries; the 100% satisfaction rate we continue to maintain among Diam customers; the momentum that we have built since we first launched Diam; and most importantly, the excitement among winemakers and wine drinkers for a closure that carries all the romance and tradition of cork without the potential liabilities," said Oeneo Closures U.S.A. President Eric Mercier.

To date, Oeneo's Diam is used by more than 1,800 wineries in over 20 countries. In North America, clients include Kunde Estate, Martin Ray Winery, Langtry Estate, Crew Wines and Cosentino Winery. For more information on Oeneo Closures' Diam cork closures, please visit the company's Web site www.oeneoclosuresusa.com.

About Oeneo Closures U.S.A.

Oeneo Closures U.S.A., was founded in 1995 and is based in Napa, California. The company is a subsidiary of France-based Oeneo, a global leader in supplying value-added products to winemakers worldwide. The closures division offers still and sparkling wine corks and a cork-based stopper for liquor and spirits. The Oeneo Group of companies is also one of the world's largest barrel suppliers (Seguin Moreau and Radoux brands) and is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code 0000052680).