Sparkling Wine Corks

Ever notice that sparkling wine corks, once out of the bottle, look very different than still wine corks? Aside from the mushroom-like cap, they are made up of several different pieces of cork glued together. Usually natural, still wine corks are punched whole from the bark, but because bubbly corks are wider, this doesn’t work. Thus, two to three pieces are stuck together. Usually agglomerate cork is used for pieces on the upper portion closer to the cap with natural cork at the very bottom actually touching the wine itself. As might be expected, bubbly corks are generically more expensive because of this process even though some less expensive agglomerate cork is utilized. Bubbly corks do not require a corkscrew for extraction. 

Climate Change and Wine

It’s no secret that climate change is affecting our lives. A reduced ozone layer is altering weather and temperatures around the world affecting agriculture. As wine is an agricultural product, it is most certainly not exempt. In some cases, certain wine regions that could grow specific grape varieties are now having a hard time doing so. Australia with Shiraz is a prime example. Others that couldn’t, are now prolific. The U.K. now makes some great sparkling wine. This whole phenomenon is causing producers to look to new locations within their respective countries to plant, search for new or different varietals/clones that will work, alter their viticultural practices and be more creative in their winemaking. 

Wines for Summer Sipping

Summer’s here and wine styles we sip should reflect the season. Forget about those big, rich, alcoholic, oaky, complex numbers that fuel the cooler weather. Instead, vie for light, crisp, fruit-driven, unoaked or minimally so, uncomplicated, lower alcohol reds and whites. I’m talking white varietals like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Alvarinho, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Verdicchio and Vidal. For reds, check out Dolcetto, Gamay and Grignolino. Any of these will keep you cool and not weigh you down. They’re also best for “al fresco” sipping and dining as they’re forward and bright enough to combat all the extraneous aromatics that the great outdoors can bombard you with.