Wine cork

A wine corks is a stopper used to seal a wine bottle. They are typically made from cork (bark of the cork oak), though synthetic materials can be used. Common alternative wine closures include screw caps and glass stoppers. 68 percent of all cork is produced for wine bottle stopper. Cork is the most environmentally responsible stopper, according to major cork manufacturers. It can be recycled into many other objects, such as corkboards, flooring, and craft projects. It is the largest producer of corks in the Mediterranean Basin, followed by Spain, Italy, and Algeria. The majority of Portugal's production is in the region of Alentejo, at 72 percent of national production. The stoppers are associated with a perception of high quality wine, especially as cheaper alternatives are common with lower-cost wine. The cork industry invested in new techniques and equipment, reducing TCA chemicals in wine by 95 percent. Cork can be made in several ways: natural cork stoppers, multi-piece corks, and agglomerated corks.