Australian wines have challenged the views of leading wine experts at this year’s VinItaly in Verona – Italy’s biggest annual wine fair.

The screw cap in Italy is generally perceived as inferior to cork, but Australian wines, which are primarily bottled with screw cap, are beginning to change views in the country.

At VinItaly last week, presenter and judge, Tyson Stelzer presented five mature flagship Australian red wines under both cork and screw cap in a blind tasting.

Surprisingly, the panel of international wine professionals voted for the screw capped wines over the corked.

Venice sommelier, Annie Martin-Stefannato admitted “we will have to change our mindset”.

“The result was ground-breaking for Italy, where screw caps remain controversial and until recently have been prohibited on the country’s top wines,” Stelzer said.

Stelzer also says the tasting was significant for Australia, whose global reputation as a fine wine producer relies upon overcoming the misconception that screw caps are inferior.

In addition, Stelzer says Australia’s screw capped wines have the potential to break down prejudices.

The wines presented, included Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2004, Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2004 and 2005, Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2003 and Brokenwood Rayner Shiraz 2001.