Cork stoppers are simply a part of good wine

The Importance of Corks for Quality Wine: Everything You Need to Know

Corks are still the most popular wine closure among both producers and consumers. More than 75% of consumers believe that corked wine is of higher quality and prefer a bottle with a cork stopper for special occasions.

Did you know that over 13 billion corks are used worldwide every year? Sipping wine is a ritual, and the distinctive sound of the cork leaving the bottle is an integral part of the process. Plastic caps and screw caps just can't match this experience.

Why is cork the best choice?

Cork is sought after for its unique properties. High-quality cork stoppers allow wine to mature during its storage. They are able to let air through, but at the same time keep the contents of the bottle intact. This also applies to sparkling wines, where the cork must maintain a pressure of 4-5 atmospheres in the bottle.

Today you no longer have to worry about the smell of wine caused by the so-called TCA (trichloroanisole). This problem was not caused by the cork itself, but by its insufficient processing, selection, storage or incorrect use. Thanks to the most modern processing and production technologies, the occurrence of TCA has been minimized to values lower than 1-2 ng/I. Thanks to this, cork has regained its good reputation.

It is important to remember that corks play a key role in preserving and developing the quality of wine. Their unique properties allow wine to evolve and offer unforgettable tasting experiences.

The right choice of cork stoppers for different wines and bottles

Choosing the right type of cork is crucial for each wine and bottle. The choice of cork depends on the type of wine and its future, with the measure being the oxygen (O2) permeability of the closure. According to winemakers, a moderate O2 permeability in the first month after corking is favorable for the development of the wine.

Technical cork provides low oxygen permeability during the first month and then it is negligible. Natural cork stopper allows higher permeability in the first months up to one year, after which the permeability becomes negligible. For wine intended for consumption within one year, an agglomerated cork stopper is the ideal choice. For wine intended for consumption from one to three years, cork stoppers with two surfaces or made of “micro” selected granulate are suitable.

Another option is the Colmat natural cork, which offers an excellent ratio between quality, utility properties and price. For wine intended for longer storage, a natural cork cork is clearly recommended. Cork does not dry out and maintains its elasticity and sealing ability after years.

The dimensions of the cork also play a role

It is important to choose the correct length and diameter of the cork depending on the dimensions of the bottle. In general, the longer the planned storage period, the longer the stopper should be. When deciding on the diameter of the stopper, it is important to remember that jar manufacturers often specify the diameter of the neck only for the first 5 mm from the top edge, but bottles have inconsistent diameters.

Traditional Slovak supplier of quality cork

This unique natural product is imported to the Slovak Republic by the company Korok Jelínek, spol. sro The history of the founding company Jelinek Cork Group dates back to 1855, when it was founded in Brno by Mr. Jindřich Jelinek the Elder.

The Korok Jelínek company selects only high-quality, properly packaged and transported corks, with hygienic measures in place to prevent unwanted microorganisms from entering the wine. Cork for the production of stoppers is stored in ventilated and dry areas with a stable temperature between 15 and 20 °C and a relatively high humidity between 40 and 70 %.