The Disappearing Cork Forests Of Portugal
For a couple years now the wine industry has been moving toward more screwcaps but there are some good reasons that the pendulum may shift again.. A study by The World Wildlife Fund shows that up to three quarters of the Mediterranean's cork forests could be lost within 10 years if the trend for plastic stoppers and screw tops continues. A BBC Natural World documentary highlights the fact that these forests also support rare species such as Iberian lynx, black storks and booted eagles which are already disappearing in some areas. Because the farmers can no longer make as much money from cork harvest they have been ripping up the trees in order to grow alternative crops that will provide more ready cash. But the land that the cork oaks are on sometimes turns into a desert when the trees are removed. According to an article in the Telegraph, in the Algarve, Portugal, cork forests have declined by 28 per cent in the past 10 years. The cork industry in Portugal is now attempting to fight back and has introduced new methods to protect against cork taint and are trying to bring increased attention to the industry through public service announcements.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Al Dec 1st 2008 1:01PM
Interesting article on vinography refuting most of this.
http://www.vinography.com/archives/2008/11/put_a_cork_in_it_screwcap_wine.html
Jack Dec 1st 2008 3:35PM
A really interesting initiative was made this year in Verona during the Vinitaly fair, where they gathered all the cork stoppers open during the event, and have found ways of recycling in the construction industry as insulation after properly treatement. VeronaFiere is Member of Green Building Council Italia that promote LEED standards in Italy. This is an intelligent way for the waste "reuse"; give a second life to waste.
Len Dec 1st 2008 6:18PM
Forget the article at vinography refuting this, there are many reasons to use cork over plastic and screw-cap.
I have been looking into buying a winery for about a year now. I've done incredible amounts of research into all aspects of the business, and I haven't found enough proof to suggest the use of plastics and metal screw caps does anything but harm the environment.
All of those wineries out there advocating the use of those two items and claiming they're being environmental are simply mistaken, or were only looking for cost savings and passing them off as earth-friendly.
Deidre perhaps you could add this web link to your post [rather than just leaving it in the comments section], it certainly is complimentary to your article:
http://www.savemiguel.com/
Al Dec 1st 2008 6:24PM
I don't know of any wineries that say they use stelvin (screwcap) or artificial corks because it saves the environment. The primary reason is due to flawed corks and it's effect on wine. The Wine Spectator claims close to a 15% flaw rate.
Len Dec 1st 2008 7:42PM
Unfortunately there are wineries out there claiming that using something other than cork is better for the environment. I wouldn't have said that if I hadn't heard it already.
Although arguing with The Wine Spectator is tough, a 15% spoil rate for any product is extremely high, and none of the wineries I've looked at buying have one even close to that.
I suppose one could argue they fudged their numbers for the sale, however even in the electronics business which has crazy spoil rates, 15% is high.
Every business that deals with spoil rates, builds these costs into their pricing and I have my doubt any of them are discounting their product 15% once they stop using cork.
There are also no proven statistics that suggest wine brands are tarnished when a consumer opens a bad bottle. Providing the consumer can return and exchange any bad bottle, there is no reason for the consumer to purchase anything but corked wine.
Howard Dec 14th 2008 5:32PM
"There are also no proven statistics that suggest wine brands are tarnished when a consumer opens a bad bottle."
As a person who spent over 20 years let me assure you that the average consumer doesn't realize what a corked bottle is.
If they happen to get a corked bottle they typically just think the wine is lousy (not necessarily faulty)
In my experience, this leads them to avoid purchasing the same wine (or anything from that winery) again. I've seen it first hand hundreds of times.
Even after explaining cork taint and why it leads to an off bottle, it was always very difficult and or impossible to get them to take a replacement of the same wine.
Howard Dec 14th 2008 5:37PM
I'm sorry I didn't notice an edit function. I meant to say that I worked for over 20 years in the retail end of the wine business.