Amorim Cork America

Selection and Storage of Cork Stoppers

• Amorim & Irmãos can calculate the required cork diameter from the design of the neck of your bottle, the characteristics of the wine and the corking conditions.
• A wine with high CO2 may require a cork with a greater diameter than normal.
• Order your corks for immediate or quick use. These stoppers should be used within 6 months of the date of manufacture.
• Store in a well-ventilated room with controlled temperature between 15ºC and 25ºC and 50% to 70% humidity.

Corking Conditions

• Ensure any dust is removed before corking.
• Ensure the cork is compressed slowly, to a diameter no less than 15,5 mm.
• Ensure insertion of the cork is as quick as possible.
• For standard bottlenecks, the cork should be inserted to 1 mm below the top of the neck.
• Minimize moisture on the inside of the bottleneck.
• Headspace at 20ºC should be at least 15 mm.
• Internal pressure after corking should not exceed 1.2 bar. Vacuum bottling is recommended.

Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain the corker jaws free of nicks and signs of wear.
• Ensure proper alignment of plunger and location ring.
• Ensure corking machine operates smoothly, especially during compression.
• Clean all cork-handling surfaces regularly with chlorine-free products.
• Ensure the equipment is suited to the cork used.

Storage and Transport of Wine

• After bottling, the bottles should be kept in an upright position for at least 10 minutes.
• Ideal bottle storage conditions are 15-25ºC at 50%-70% humidity.
• Keep the wine cellar free of insects.
• Bottles should be transported in an upright position.

1. June 9, 2010 - 100% Percent Cork