Natural cork stoppers are the traditional choice for sealing premium wines and are particularly recommended for wines intended for long-term bottle aging.
Manufactured entirely from the finest quality natural cork, these stoppers provide excellent sealing performance while allowing the controlled oxygen exchange required for the harmonious maturation of wine. They are especially suitable for premium wines aged in oak barrels or stainless-steel tanks and intended for extended cellaring.
Depending on the cork grade and dimensions selected, natural cork stoppers can ensure optimum wine preservation for 5 years or well beyond 10 years, provided they are used with suitable bottles and stored under appropriate cellar conditions.
Available Sizes
Dimensions
- Diameters: 24, 26 and 28 mm
- Lengths: 39, 44 and 49 mm
Quality Grades
- Super Extra – Premium grade, recommended for top-quality wines intended for long-term aging.
- Super – High-quality grade for premium wines.
- Special – Recommended for quality wines with a medium aging potential.
- Special B – Economical grade intended for wines designed for earlier consumption.
Choosing the Right Cork Stopper
The dimensions of the cork stopper should be selected according to the bottle type, the intended storage period and the quality level of the wine.
For the standard Bordeaux bottle, whose internal neck diameter typically ranges between 17.2 and 17.8 mm, the stopper diameter should exceed the bottle's internal diameter by at least 5–6 mm to ensure an effective and reliable seal.
Stopper length is equally important. Longer cork stoppers are recommended for wines intended for extended aging, as they provide a larger contact surface with the bottle neck and ensure superior long-term sealing performance.
Recommendations for Proper Corking
To achieve the best bottling results, the following recommendations should be observed:
- The difference between the stopper diameter and the bottle's internal neck diameter should be at least 5–6 mm.
- For bottles with a tapered neck, a difference of 6–8 mm is recommended.
- The headspace between the wine surface and the bottom of the inserted cork should measure 2–3 cm, allowing for volume changes caused by temperature fluctuations.
- After bottling, bottles should be stored upright for at least 48 hours, allowing the cork to recover its original shape and achieve optimum sealing performance.
- Ensure that the corking machine jaws are correctly adjusted to prevent stopper deformation or edge damage that could release cork particles into the wine.
- Do not soak or boil the cork stoppers before use. They are supplied pre-lubricated and are ready for immediate bottling.
Video
The manufacturing process of natural cork stoppers can be viewed here:
Manufacturer: Technosugheri
Download
Natural Cork Stopper – Technical Data Sheet