Importance of corks in wines
CONTENT
table of ContentsIn the world of wine tasting, the quality of the product is paramount, yet most of us give little thought to how important each small part of the process of creating and preserving this liquid treasure is.
Cork is one of them, as more than just a stopper, it plays a crucial role in the quality of the wine . Therefore, below we present the most relevant information about corks and a list of the reasons why they are of vital importance in good wines.
What is cork?
To understand the value of cork in wine production, we must first know what cork is and why this material is used in the art of winemaking.
Cork is a plant tissue obtained from the bark of the Mediterranean cork oak tree . Its main component is suberin , a biopolymer, which in turn encloses a gas similar to air in microscopic cells. This molecular structure means that cork has not been matched by any synthetic material.
Cork characteristics
The use of cork in the production of Mexican wines is not only part of a tradition, but this type of stopper has the perfect properties for wine bottles, including the following:
- It is light thanks to its low density.
- It is a very elastic and resilient material .
- When it comes into contact with the neck of the glass bottle, its surface acts as a suction cup , which prevents it from slipping, creating an ideal seal.
- It is waterproof and moisture resistant.
- It is biodegradable .
Why is it important to use cork in wines?
Now, the characteristics that we have outlined above have a specific importance in several of the stages after wine production, these are:
1.- Protection
In the wine industry, one of the most latent dangers is the contamination of wine by overexposure to oxygen , since when a red wine is oxidized, its color is reduced and its aromatic profile changes. Even in the case of white wines , inert gases are used in addition to the use of cork to limit exposure to oxygen and guarantee fruity aromas.
In this case, the cork is a crucial element , because as we explained, its surface allows for a hermetic seal that is quite difficult to break when it comes into contact with the walls of the bottle. Also, its elasticity allows it to be inserted into the neck of the bottle without the compression affecting its properties .
Thus, the best sweet red wines are not only so due to the quality of the grape or the care taken in their production process, but they are also protected with the most advanced cork technology.
Vinos El Cielo offers you corks that have been individually analyzed one by one using NDtech technology. This process guarantees a wine free of TCA (trichloroanisole), a molecule present in the cork that contaminates the flavor of wines, giving them an unpleasant smell of humidity and mold.
2.- Conservation
On the other hand, corks are an excellent ally in preserving the complex flavours and aromas of red wine . The airtightness provided by cork stoppers is essential to maintain the most delicate characteristics and fruity aromas in the case of white, rosé and red wines.
Furthermore, just as cork maintains the freshness of wines, its porous composition allows for what is known as silent microoxygenation , a process in which wine is exposed in a controlled manner to small amounts of oxygen to make a more rounded profile and a more palatable structure.
3.- Tasting
When it comes to tasting, the cork also plays an important role, as removing the cork from a bottle of wine marks the beginning of the sensory experience . The so-called “uncorking” is important because it provides evidence of the bottling and sealing processes of a wine.
It is a tradition during tastings to carefully smell one of the tips of the cork after uncorking a bottle. As we explained, the molecular structure of these corks stores small air bubbles inside, which when in contact with the elixir in the bottle, become impregnated with its color and aroma .
The cork is a way for participants to anticipate certain characteristics of the wine. Ideally, the cork should have a uniform shape , otherwise leaks or contamination may be suspected.
A musty smell on a cork can indicate the presence of TCA . Finally, bright colours at the ends of the cork indicate a young wine, while dull, dark colours are more typical of a reserve wine .
In conclusion, the importance of corks in the world of wine goes beyond being simple stoppers. They are a silent guardian that preserves and enhances the liquid jewels that each bottle contains. For this reason, always choose wines with natural cork and the best technology, choose the best quality and protection, choose El Cielo wines.
