The concept of sealing up things generally started as a necessary means of preservation. This concept has metamorphosed over time and have taken different forms, but most consequentially, have become a part of human culture.
Humans over time found out that the best way to preserve some of their belongings or products was to store them up, especially perishables. It helped to keep them fresh, gave them extra longevity and protected these items from pests and rodents.
Among such perishables was the wine, made from fruits such as grapes, which had also become a crucial part of life and culture. With the need for it to be preserved also came different improvisations on how best to preserve it.
Different modes were used, most notably wineskins.
Sealing Wine with Cork Closures
While it is important to point out that different civilizations in world history, most notably the Egyptians and the Romans, had made use of natural corks in sealing their wine jugs or wine skins, it was not until the 17th century A.D. that corks in its modern form became the dominant mode of sealing wines.
It is made from the cork trees which grows mostly in north west Africa and in south western Europe. Its details and production process are explained in great details here.
This whole revolutionary process can all be laid at the feet of a certain Dom Perignon, a clever French monk who has revolutionalised the whole sealing process.
Types of Cork Closures
There are different types of these closures and their use is subject to the different interests in the market and ultimately that of the consumer. Some of the different types include:
Natural Stoppers: This usually is the favorite for wine lovers and is the more traditional form of sealing as they believe the legendary Dom Perignon would have it. Thus, it is sometimes referred to as the original stopper.
The Colmated Sealer: Though processed the same as natural corks, they are made from inferior quality material. Thus, they cannot preserve wine for as long as the natural stoppers rather, they are used for wine meant for immediate consumption.
The Twin Top Stoppers: These too are not made for long storage, or bottle aging. They are normally used for storing fruity wine. They come in very handy for commercial wine lines.
Champagne Stoppers: This type of stoppers is generally larger than the other types. They are made to be able to entrap the gases in the bottled wine. Generally, it is regarded as the most complicated to make and of course, is used mostly to store champagne.
Synthetic Stoppers: These types as the name implies are made from synthetic materials meaning that they are not natural. However, they are very effective and are a recent invention as it regards wine production and bottling.
Are Cork Closures Better Than the Alternatives?
Despite the fact that there are alternatives in today’s world, there still is a preference for the old school natural cork closures. The popping sound of a bottle of wine is still a huge “thing” with lots of people.
Another reason for this is also the fact that there is a certain feeling of prestige about it, it’s like royalty. So the question now is, besides the feeling of prestige, are there advantages to its continued use today?
The answer to this question is yes.
- It is Very Much Sustainable: It does not involve the cutting down of whole trees. Rather, it is harvested through a process or system that ensures the continuity of cork trees.
- Has a Rich History: This of course is one of the primary reasons why it is still an essential part of today’s wine industry, especially for connoisseurs.
- Let’s the Wine Age Properly without Spoiling: This is the primary reason why it still retains its pride of place as the king of wine closures. Some wines have been preserved for decades and even centuries by its use, and still retain their natural flavor without souring.
This however, does not mean that there are no cons to its use. Most popular amongst them is the issue of Trichloroanisole or TCA for short, which in simple terms refers to cork reactions, or as it is often said “when the wine gets corked”.
The good news however is that, with technological advancements, TCA would soon be an issue of the past. You can learn more about the advancements in its manufacture here: https://daily.sevenfifty.com/exploring-the-future-of-cork-closures/.
Conclusion
The drinking of wines has ultimately become a huge part of the human culture. Being primarily about pleasure, it is constantly used to mark or celebrate special occasions.
It is quite symbolic though that one of the prestigious things about wine is its bottling and sealing which also serves as a method of preservation for it. With all the technological advancements, there appears to be no other product that has emerged to play this role such that it unseats the reigning king. Cork closures therefore still continue to do what they do best.