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Cork, Plastic or Aluminum? Which Material Makes the Best Wine Stopper?

Choosing the right closure for wine bottles is a crucial decision for winemakers, as it directly impacts the quality, aging potential, and environmental footprint of the wine. In recent years, alternative closure materials, such as aluminum and plastic, have emerged alongside traditional cork stoppers. In this article, we will compare cork, aluminum, and plastic as materials for wine closures, examining their sealing ability, production resource use, environmental impact, and other relevant aspects. By understanding the characteristics of each material, we can make informed decisions that balance tradition, innovation, and sustainability in the wine industry.

Cork

Cork stoppers are known for their exceptional sealing ability, ensuring a reliable closure for wine bottles. Cork's elasticity allows it to conform to the bottle's neck, forming a tight seal that prevents oxygen from entering the bottle while enabling controlled oxygen exchange for wine aging. This characteristic is crucial for preserving wine quality and promoting the development of complex flavors and aromas over time.

Aluminum 

Aluminum closures, commonly used in the form of screw caps, provide an effective seal against oxygen. These closures offer a reliable barrier and eliminate the risk of cork taint, a fault caused by a chemical compound called TCA. However, aluminum closures may not allow the same level of controlled oxygen exchange as cork, which can limit the wine's aging potential.

Plastic 

Plastic closures, including synthetic corks and plastic screw caps, offer a consistent and tight seal. While they effectively prevent oxygen ingress and eliminate the risk of cork taint, their impermeability to oxygen can hinder the wine's development during aging, potentially limiting its complexity and character.

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About

Crowning the Achievements of Fine Wine for Generations

Lafitte is a French family with a reputation in the cork industry for supplying the finest cork for over four generations. Beginning in France, the company moved its major production site to Northern Portugal in 1956, in order to be directly involved in the selection of fine cork from the most thriving and sustainable cork forests in the world. In 2003, Lafitte purchased a second processing plant in Portugal to meet an increasing demand for quality cork production.

 

"We've set the standard for quality and value

with a commitment to you, our products and the environment."

–Jean Francois Lafitte

 

Lafitte Cork & Capsule - North America

In 1982 Jacques Lafitte opened a processing facility in Napa, CA known as Lafitte Cork & Capsule.  This faciltiy processes corks and capsules for direct sale to North American customers.  Lafitte Cork & Capsule offers a full inventory of cork grades, lengths and washes for lot selection.

In addition to wine closures, LCC offers a complete range of stock PVC, Polylaminate, Alustar, and Tin capsules at our Napa plant.  We can also offer fully customizable capsules manufactured at our facilities in France in a wide array of sizes, colors and finishes to meet your precise marketing and technical demands.

Lafitte Cork & Capsule has built an impressive reputation in the wine packaging industry by delivering the highest quality natural cork closures and foils for decades.  We take immense pride in offering the best service platform in North America.

 

Contact

Contact List

Title Name Email Phone Extension
General Manager Mark Hautala mhautala@lafitte-usa.com (707) 258-2675
Quality Manager Nicholas Lo nlo@lafitte-usa.com (707) 258-2675 113
Vice President of Sales Rob Stasko rstasko@lafitte-usa.com (707) 287-3404
Regional Account Manager Southwestern Unite Michael Stump mstump@lafitte-usa.com (714) 334-7653
Regional Account Manager Sonoma, Lake & Mendocino Nate Page npage@lafitte-usa.com (707) 486-5788
Regional Account Manager Oregon, Washington, Idah Pete McAfee pmcafee@lafitte-usa.com (509) 240-2749
Sales Administrator Denise Rico drico@lafitte-usa.com (707) 258-2675 102
Capsule Division Manager Claire Renneville crenneville@lafitte-usa.com (707) 258-2675 112
Director of Continual Improvement Eleonore Lafitte eleonore@lafitte-usa.com (707) 258-2675 114

Location List

Locations Address State Country Zip Code
Lafitte Cork and Capsule Inc 45 Executive Court, Napa CA United States of America 94558

List of Locations