Overrun natural corks
- Details
- Published: Sunday, 01 September 2013 11:57
- Written by David DeCiero
Over the past few months, I have been opening bottles of my 2011 Rhode Island Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend. I bottled this about 1 year ago using overrun corks from More Wine. I have been disappointed in these corks for one reason, disintegration.
The overrun corks were about 22 cents apiece and represented a good value. I had been looking for alternatives to the Altec/Reference/DIAM II corks since they were becoming increasingly hard to find. I have always been impressed with the Altec corks, since I have bottles that are 6 years old and no problems. I have never had any leaking and no problems with cork taint. However, I could not find them anywhere, so as I was making an order for supplies for 2012, I made the leap to overrun corks. I had no problem with the corks themselves. They did not require soaking and came in a sealed bag. They all inserted very nicely and after 4 days, I put them on their side in the cellar. I have not had any leakers or any other issues. The problem I have is when I try to take them out. They pretty much disintegrate when I try to remove them. When the screw goes through them, they fall apart. I have been careful not to punch through the cork, so I have as yet not put a large amount of cork in the wine, but it is only a matter of time. I have been disappointed with the quality of these corks. Now, I do know that natural corks will tend to fall apart as opposed to agglomerated corks, but this is only after one year and is pretty bad. So, I think I am done with natural corks. I have luckily been able to find some additional Diam II corks from a local supplier. I don’t know why they have become so hard to find as I believe they are an excellent cork.