Sales of Twin Top^® doubled in 2003 and with a further 40 per cent growth this year, Amorim's technical cork has become the closure of choice for most of the high-volume international brands produced by South African wineries.

Amorim is also the leading supplier of natural cork stoppers in South Africa and has nearly 90 per cent of the sparkling wine market..

According to Amorim Cork South Africa's managing director, Joaquim Sá, this success is based on two factors - progress in the battle to defeat cork related quality problems such as TCA and a willingness to work in partnership with wineries to ensure their needs are met cost effectively.

Several leading South African producers have publicly supported Amorim's claim of a substantial reduction in the incidence of TCA since the deployment of the company's new production techniques and quality control regime.

"After using ROSA-treated corks we can validate Amorim's claim of a substantial reduction in the incidence of TCA," says Delana Green of Stellenbosch Vineyards.

The company's Versus range is sealed with Twin Top^® and distributed throughout Britain, Netherlands and domestically.

Green says they have kept a close eye on cork performance over the past year and have not received a single customer complaint.

The point is echoed by Pierre Smit of African Terroir.

"The returns from millions of bottles we exported over the past year could be counted on one hand," he said.

"The extraordinary low return rate is an excellent record, but we're looking forward to no comebacks at all, once ROSA-treatment has been fully extended to all our corks."

Jaco Boonzaaier of Pernod Ricard (SA), which exports to 27 countries, said advances in cork technology and "experiences" with suppliers of alternative stoppers have convinced his company to appoint Amorim as its sole closure supplier.

Amorim has had a similar response from smaller producers that specialise in premium wines.

Louis Strydom, winemaker for the internationally acclaimed Rust En Vrede Estate, said Amorim had proven to be consistent on quality and service.

"That is why Amorim is our preferred supplier," he said.

A prime example of the close partnerships Amorim forges with its clients is the relationship with South Africa's leading wine producer, KWV SA.

The company selected Amorim as a preferred supplier in 2002 based on Amorim's capacity to meet the seven elements of KWV's Supplier Partnering Program. These relate to quality, materials handling, procurement, design, business system integration, communication and strategic integration.

"Our aim is to grow with our clients. The sustainable way is to develop solutions with them that match or exceed the expectations of our client's customers," said Sá.

"Amorim has done a great job in that regard - improving communication with the on and off-trade market and investing heavily in R&D.

"It's a constructive approach that has contributed greatly to Amorim's success in South Africa."