Corks - Agglomerate vs Synthetic

[ffemt128]

First off for those who order from George, what is the difference between the 1 3/4 Perfect Agglomerate

http://www.finevinewines.com/p-879-2320c.aspx

and the 1 3/4 Agglomerate corks.

http://www.finevinewines.com/p-451-2310c.aspx.

Next question, I've been using the Nomacorks so far, is there any advantage of the synthetic over the afflomerate corks?

If I can save a couple bucks and not sacrifice the wine, I may add a bag of 1000 to my next order from George.

Thanks

 

[Runningwolf]

Doug I don't have the answer you want but why not give George a call and ask him. He really does enjoy talking to his customers.

 

[ffemt128]

Doug I don't have the answer you want but why not give George a call and ask him. He really does enjoy talking to his customers.

I may do that after work. I'll be placing an order soon in the next couple weeks.

 

[Flem]

Doug,
I'm glad you started a discussion about corks. I was wondering the same thing, but I was also wondering about the length---1 1/2 vs 1 3/4 inch.
The corks that came with my starter package were the perfect agglomerate
1 1/2 inch. I'm making a Merlot that should be aged for a couple of years. My question is, "is that type and that length appropriate for that wine?"

Thanks!

 

[JohnT]

Synthetic corks are OK if you plan on storring your wine for short (under 3 to 5 years) periods of time. Although they are air tight, the amount of micro oxidation that occurs vastly exceeds that of "natural" cork. This greatly accelerated rate has been found to lead to wine becomming oxydized.

For this reason, many wineries are now tunring away from synthetic corks. A big part of this move is due to that threat of oxydation. The move is also due to improved QC in Portugal cork exports, reducing "Cork Taint" or TCA occurences. The threat of TCA is the main reason why wineries went with synthetic corks to begin with.

If you plan to keep you wine for longer periods of time, then go with the natural cork varieties.

Another dis-advantage of synthetic cork is that they are not as easily removed. I have broken many corkscrews on these suckers!

 

[MN-winer]

I've been using agglomerated since I started wine two years ago. I've considered switching to 1+1 corks which have that layer of real cork on top and bottom, but the prices seem very high - like double the cost. I've heard people on this forum say not to expect agglomerated to last beyond 2 years, but I have some that are two and showing no sign of problems.

Does it make sense to bottle some with a better cork for 2+ years of aging? Or should I just take a chance?

 

[ibglowin]

Those are the exact same cork with the only difference being the printing on the side. Same price either way. I go with the 1.75" with the Grapes. It will give you more protection if you think you may have some wines that would improve or be still be hanging around after 2 years in your cellar. Not a bad cork for the money and George stands behind them 100%, like everything else he sells.

First off for those who order from George, what is the difference between the 1 3/4 Perfect Agglomerate

http://www.finevinewines.com/p-879-2320c.aspx

and the 1 3/4 Agglomerate corks.

http://www.finevinewines.com/p-451-2310c.aspx.

Next question, I've been using the Nomacorks so far, is there any advantage of the synthetic over the afflomerate corks?

If I can save a couple bucks and not sacrifice the wine, I may add a bag of 1000 to my next order from George.

Thanks

 

[ibglowin]

I am looking into the 1+1 ATM myself. The cost of production of these speciality corks does drive up the price but not what I would call double.

The 1+1's I am looking at are $0.185 vs say George's Agglomerate corks for $0.144 per 1000.

PM me for more info.

I've been using agglomerated since I started wine two years ago. I've considered switching to 1+1 corks which have that layer of real cork on top and bottom, but the prices seem very high - like double the cost. I've heard people on this forum say not to expect agglomerated to last beyond 2 years, but I have some that are two and showing no sign of problems.

Does it make sense to bottle some with a better cork for 2+ years of aging? Or should I just take a chance?

 

[Runningwolf]

I am looking into the 1+1 ATM myself. The cost of production of these speciality corks does drive up the price but not what I would call double.

The 1+1's I am looking at are $0.185 vs say George's Agglomerate corks for $0.144 per 1000.

PM me for more info.

Mike I am paying $0.12 for 1+1

 

[ffemt128]

I believe Runningwolf uses the 1+1 corks. Not sure what he paid as he has his custom made. Maybe he could post a link.

 

[ibglowin]

Are those the lowest end? I think they had like 5 levels (hard to believe) I may be quoting the higher end ones.

Mike I am paying $0.12 for 1+1

 

[Runningwolf]

Are those the lowest end? I think they had like 5 levels (hard to believe) I may be quoting the higher end ones.

I don't think the 1+1's had levels. The all natural ones did, but they kept recommending these as they are the one's they sell to most wineries. Keep in mine folks we are talking 1000ct minimum order.

 

[ffemt128]

I don't think the 1+1's had levels. The all natural ones did, but they kept recommending these as they are the one's they sell to most wineries. Keep in mine folks we are talking 1000ct minimum order.

At the present time I have 350 plus bottles that will need corked in the next 2-3 months. I think come December I could get away with using 1000. The price per 1000 for the perfect alomerate are .144 a piece if tou are a FVWGC member.

 

[ibglowin]

My bad.

I just went and looked at the quote RRawhide sent me and it was $95 /1000. + 100 set up so $195/1000 for the whole lot.

I was thinking they were ~ $190 for just the corks but I swear they said they had levels on the 1+1. I just talked to them last week and they are sending samples!

 

[Runningwolf]

My bad.

I just went and looked at the quote RRawhide sent me and it was $95 /1000. + 100 set up so $195/1000 for the whole lot.

I was thinking they were ~ $190 for just the corks but I swear they said they had levels on the 1+1. I just talked to them last week and they are sending samples!

Mike, the .95 is their low end cork not 1+1. Their recommendation is branding looks a lot better on the 1+1 and better potection. Rick did tell me he gets the .95 one.

 

[ibglowin]

Hmmm... So something is off for sure.

I should get my samples this week hopefully. Hope to place an order soon TAT was pretty fast it seemed. Just tweaking the design a bit more!

 

[Runningwolf]

Give Denise a call she'll quote you what you want to know. My turn around time from my first contact to delivered corks was less than 21 days and that included design consultation and making the branding iron. My second order I told her my bottling date was in 10 days and they executed on time.

 

[ibglowin]

Wow, that's impressive. Is she the receptionist or a salesperson? Rick gave me a name of his sales guy but he was OOTO on Friday when I called. I also asked for a quote from DIAM via their web form but no response still. They may not want to mess with the little guys. They do make a beautiful product though.

 

[Runningwolf]

Wow, that's impressive. Is she the receptionist or a salesperson? Rick gave me a name of his sales guy but he was OOTO on Friday when I called. I also asked for a quote from DIAM via their web form but no response still. They may not want to mess with the little guys. They do make a beautiful product though.

Just give her a call

Denise Rico
Sales Administrator

 

[tonyt]

Doug,
I'm glad you started a discussion about corks. I was wondering the same thing, but I was also wondering about the length---1 1/2 vs 1 3/4 inch.
The corks that came with my starter package were the perfect agglomerate
1 1/2 inch. I'm making a Merlot that should be aged for a couple of years. My question is, "is that type and that length appropriate for that wine?"

Thanks!

I bottle 20 375ml and 20 750ml for each kit. I use the longer ones for the 750s and shorter ones for the 375s.