Interesting PRI Cork Article

http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-05-09/if-you-drink-wine-and-care-about-planet-cork-growers-want-your-attention

Interesting arguments for the use of cork as a wine stopper both from cork producer's and the environmental implications. Are the advantages enough to counter the problems with cork? Good article to get you thinking.

Same old, same old. Tired lazy argument that doesn't mention any advantage to the wine drinker in having a cork closure, but instead implores we do it to save trees.

Says cork is used to close 70% of world's wine, which implies that cork has lost 30% of the business. But more bottles are closed with cork now, I suggest, than ever before because of the massive increase in wine production in the last 40 years.

97% of all NZ wines are not closed with cork but that's production that didn't exist 40 years ago.

Those cork trees are now being stripped of cork more frequently than previously because they cannot keep up with demand.

The cork producers have at last stirred themselves and are taking creditable actions at removing TCA from their closures, but they're even better at the 'buy wines with corks or the planet gets it' propaganda.

I agree with Peter. There are two issues. One is what closure is most appropriate for wine. The second is how to protect sensitive environments that some (including me) think are worth protecting. But I don't think it is right to push that responsibility onto wine drinkers if it turns out that other closures are superior. I would be happy for the EU to subsidise the farmers if necessary. Another revenue stream for environmental protection is high value, low impact eco-tourism.

(I think there are also some dodgy arguments put forward about the species and landscapes in question. If anyone is interested I can try to expand. Regardless, I remain convinced that the environmental issues merit serious consideration.)