NOTHING IS PERFECT
The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) has
found that 'rubbery' or sulfide-like odours are
significantly more noticeable in white wines sealed
with screw-caps than with those under cork.
In
a report published in the February edition of the
AWRI's Technical Review, researchers confirmed the
problem was due to chemical reactions involving
sulfur compounds in the oxygen-deficient environment
of wine sealed under screw-caps.
The
researchers identified the fault in a semillon
wine stored for 18 months or longer and in a range
of Australian riesling wines from the 1993 to
2002 vintages. The odours were not dispelled by
decanting or with swirling the wine in the glass.
In
canvassing the possible causes, the AWRI researchers
concluded that the sealing properties of the screw-cap
closure may be "particularly conducive to
strongly reductive conditions". They suggested
that the use of screw-caps may necessitate "more
careful avoidance by winemakers of sulfide compunds
in the wine at bottling".
Wine
experts believe that cork is better able to adsorb
sulfide-like odours from wine, reducing or eliminating
the problem over time.
The
ARWI findings come amid claims of 'technical perfection'
or 'zero failure rates' among proponents of screw-caps
for wine closure.
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TWIN TOP® BOOM 'DOWN UNDER'
Amorim Cork Australia is enjoying a boom in the
sales of its Twin Top® technical corks, selling
more than 90 million units in 2002.
The record year more than doubles the company's
sales results in 2001 and comes just over three
years after Amorim opened its Twin Top® production
facility in Melbourne.
Amorim
Cork Australia managing director Noel Heyes said
the increase in sales volume was testimony to
the growing acceptance of the product in the Australian
market.
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ENDORSED
BY MONDAVI
Amorim
has secured 'Certified Supplier' status from Mondavi
for its TwinTop® corks.
One of the world's most prestigious winemaking companies,
Robert Mondavi, has granted Amorim the status of
'Certified Supplier' and 'Qualified Supplier' of
TwinTop® and natural whole corks, respectively.
A
Mondavi supplier performance report acknowledges
Amorim's "consistent performance in delivering
outstanding quality and service".
Amorim
received the maximum valuation score in several
key areas, including financial stability and business
plan, production capacity, on-time delivery and
research and development.
On
the important 'Production Site Auditing' valuation,
an item that includes employee safety, environmental
practices and cleanliness, Amorim scored nine
points out of 10.
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TOP WINE SPARKLES IN SOUTH AFRICA
The
1999 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel has won the first
Amorim sponsored Cap Classique Challenge in South
Africa.
South
Africa's Wine magazine, in cooperation with Amorim
Cork South Africa, has staged the first Cap Classique
Challenge in Cape Town.
Developed
to identify the best 'methode champenoise' sparkling
wine in South Africa, the Challenge received 44
entries of which 37 were awarded a classification
of three or more stars.
First
prize went to Johan Malan for his 1999 Simonsig
Kaapse Vonkel.
Malan
said ageing with a cork stopper will improve the
quality of sparkling wine over the next five years
and, depending on storage conditions, his Kaapse
Vonkel could be consumed anytime within the next
15 years.
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SUPPORT FOR SPANISH DISASTER
Amorim's Spanish subsidiary, Victor & Amorim,
is supporting the Haro Region Winemakers Association
in relief efforts for the population of Galicia.
Virtually
the entire 1120 kilometre (695 mile) coastline of
the Galicia region has been affected by oil following
the sinking of the tanker Prestige late last year.
The winemakers association has issued a limited
reserve release named Reserva Solidaria con
Galicia, with each six-bottle case selling
for 85 Euros ($US91). The proceeds will benefit
more than 20,000 fishermen hard hit by this ecological
disaster. To contribute to the relief fund visit
www.diecisiete.com.
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NEW PRODUCTION FOR ITALY
Amorim Cork Italia has established new production
facilities in the Conegliano/Veneto area.
An
investment of 2.5 million Euros ($US 2.87 million),
the new site has a total area of 6000m2 and is equipped
with the latest cork treatment technology.
This investment will enable Amorim Cork Italia
to provide the Italian wine industry with more
reliable products and more efficient service.
The
move is part of a series of measures designed
to double Amorim's market share in Italy by 2006.
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AND FINALLY...
Gladiatorial
discovery - the cork colosseum.
An
unusual model of Rome's famous colosseum has been
discovered in the archives of the Melbourne Museum
in Australia.
Made
of cork, the unique model is believed to have been
built by German craftsmen in the late 18th or early
19th century.
Sent
to Melbourne in 1929, the model was previously on
display at the South Kensington Museum in London.
Now
Gandalf can swim to the surface to feed then go
back to the bottom of his tank. "He might look
funny now but at least he is swimming about with
great agility," Morrison said.
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