Corker of a wine

Cork continues to be the most viable wine closure, according to the world’s leading cork producer, Amorin.

As the company talked up its environmental credentials last week, Barossa winemaker Christian Canute was also happy to praise the tried and tested wine bottle closure.

Producing wine under the Rusden label, out of the Canute family’s Vine Vale winery, Christian said his clear understanding has resulted in use of corks .

“A lot of the reason we use corks is because it’s a sustainable practice,” he said.

He explained the corks used for his family’s wines are made in Portugal, where the trees that supply the raw product support natural biodiversity and help to prevent soil degradation.

However, Christian said wine trade requirements has meant that one of his wines has been sealed under a screw cap closure.

But the winemaker said he’s keen to see this wine back under cork this year.

“It’s a matter of feeling around in the trade and seeing what people want,” he added.

Kym Wilsdon, Amorim Australasia general manager, said it is important for consumers to understand the environmental benefits of natural cork closures.

“Natural cork is the only wine closure that is truly environmentally friendly - renewable, recyclable and biodegradable,” Mr Wilsdon said.

“It also plays an important role in carbon dioxide retention.”

Cork facts

• Each cork tree provides on average 16 harvests over its 150-200 years.

• Bark is harvested from cork trees; the trees are not cut down.

• There are a handful of cork types to suit wines such as sparkling, fortified and table wines

• Cork oak forests of the Mediterranean basin help offset about 10million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, making them a significant carbon sink.