Guide to Seleting Your Corks!
The Wine Maker's Toy Store carries several corks to meet your bottling needs. They are listed in our on-line catalog in two categories: straight corks and synthetic corks. The straight cork category contains natural corks, as well as agglomerated corks that are produced from cork material. The synthetic cork category contains corks that contain some or are entirely composed of polymers.
Straight Corks
Agglomerated corks provide an inexpensive closure for wines that are going to be consumed young. These corks are made from cork granules and food grade glue that is molded into the shape of a cork. Agglomerated corks are suitable for wines that will be consumed within 1 ½ to 2 years of bottling.
The Perfect Agglomerated corks are micro-agglomerated corks that use cork granules that are from 0.5 to 2mm in diameter. The smaller granule allows more cork matter to contact the glass; creating a better seal than the regular agglomerated corks. These corks are appropriate for wines to be consumed within 2 to 3 years of bottling.
Bi-disk corks consist of an agglomerated cork center with natural cork disks affixed to each end. The agglomerated center helps keep the cost down while the cork ends ensure that only natural cork is in contact with the wine. Bi-disk corks are suitable for wines to be consumed within 4 years of bottling.
Natural corks are produced by punching cylinders from the bark of a cork oak. The cork is very elastic and easily compresses to fit into the wine bottle and readily expands to create a seal. Natural cork is the traditional method of closure. Consider using natural corks for wines to be aged 7 years.
Synthetic Corks
Altec corks are micro-agglomerated corks, that in addition to cork granules, include a small amount of polymer. These corks were developed to address problems with cork taint experienced with natural corks. Altec corks are appropriate for wines to be consumed within 5 years of bottling.
Nomacorcs are synthetic corks made from polymers and shaped into the form of a cork. Because they contain no cork, the risk of cork taint is eliminated. Additionally, since it isn't necessary to keep the closure moist to seal, the bottles can be stored upright. Synthetic corks are suitable for wines to be consumed within 5 years of bottling.
Synthetic Wine Corks were designed for automated corking machines. If you are using a floor or bench corker with these corks, they may form a crease along the closure allowing wine to leak out and air to leak in.
Cork Length
The agglomerated corks come in two lengths, 1.5 inch and 1.75 inch. Generally, a longer cork will provide a more surface contact area with the neck of the bottle and give a better seal. The exception is with the Burgundy style of bottle where the sloping neck allows for only 1.5 inches of contact with the neck.
The Bordeaux or Claret style of bottle has a neck that long enough for the longer length cork. The 1.5 inch agglomerated and Perfect Agglomerated cork will allow bottle aging of 1½ and 2 years respectively, while the 1.75 inch length will provide 2 and 3 years of bottle aging.
Cork Size
We carry corks in three sizes: 7, 8 and 9. The number 9 cork is the standard wine cork and is best for the standard 750ml wine bottle. This cork can be inserted using the Portuguese Hand Corker, the floor corker or the bench corker. The number 8 cork is used in the smaller neck of the 375ml bottle. This cork can also be used for short term aging in a standard 750ml bottle where the winemaker is unable to fully insert a number 9 cork with the Portuguese Hand Corker. The number 7 cork would be used with the Plastic Plunger corker for wine that is to be aged briefly or in the 187ml champagne bottle.
