Bolney chooses cork closures for their Estate Range due to sustainability (and romantic) reasons.

The wine industry has seen many innovations over the years, and perhaps one of the most significant was the widespread adoption of screw caps, which began some thirty years ago. This shift was primarily a response to the Portuguese cork crisis, which threatened the reliability of cork as a closure. The priority was clear: the quality of the wine was more important than the romantic pop of a cork. But for some of us, that change felt like a loss, as the sensory delight of pulling a cork from a bottle became a thing of the past.

Since then, the wine world has been on a journey, working tirelessly to address the issues that once plagued natural corks—specifically, the compound known as TCA (trichloroanisole), which was responsible for cork taint. After decades of exhaustive research, the cork industry has made significant strides. Today, cork companies have the technology to produce TCA-free corks, restoring confidence in this traditional closure.

At Bolney Wine Estate, we’ve been closely following these advancements and, with quality development always at the forefront of what we do, we’ve made the decision to switch back to cork for our premium Estate Range. In particular, we are proud to partner with the Portuguese cork supplier Amorim, whose Naturity cork stoppers have impressed us with their cutting-edge technology.

Why Amorim Corks?

Amorim has developed a unique, all-natural process that removes TCA and other volatile compounds from their corks, ensuring a pure, taint-free closure. This breakthrough allows us to maintain the highest standards for our wines while offering the added benefits that cork brings in terms of both protection and sustainability.

Not only do corks safeguard the aging potential of our wines, allowing for a small, controlled exchange of oxygen that enhances complexity, but recent tests have shown that cork also outperforms screw cap closures in both manufacturing and post-consumer waste management. This makes cork the most ecological choice, a fact that resonates with our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Cork: The Mark of Quality

For centuries, cork has been synonymous with quality in the world of fine wine. With improvements in cork production, its technical performance is now better than ever, offering consistent results for even the most discerning winemakers. The return to cork in our premium Estate Range is a reflection of our confidence in the quality of our wines, including our Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris. These are wines meant to be savored and celebrated, and there’s something undeniably special about hearing that familiar pop when you open a bottle.

Bolney’s Commitment to Sustainability

At Bolney, we believe in creating wines that not only taste exceptional but are also produced with the environment in mind. That’s why we’re not only using sustainable cork but also further underlining our commitment by becoming a cork recycling center. So, when you’ve enjoyed one of our wines, you can drop off your corks with us, knowing they will be put to good use once again. And if you are not local to our Estate, Waitrose are launching a similar cork collection point initiative in their Salisbury, Lymington, Bath, Godalming, Trurpo and Maidenhead stores.

The Return of Romance

For those of us who missed the ritual of uncorking a bottle, the sound of a twisting screw cap simply doesn’t compare to the lively anticipation that comes with a cork popping out of the neck of a bottle. Thanks to Amorim and the advances in cork technology, you no longer have to choose between quality and tradition.

As we embrace cork stoppers for our premium Estate Range, we invite you to join us on this exciting new journey—where science backs up what wine romantics have always known, and where sustainability meets tradition.

And remember, you know where to drop off your corks!