All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(359 products available)
Ready to Ship
Wine bottle closures, both old and new, serve several important functions. Beyond preventing spoilage, many closures have features that protect the wine, enhance its packaging, and improve the winemaker's production efficiency. In particular, used wine corks are valuable due to their unique properties and potential reuse in various projects.
Natural cork
Natural cork has been used for centuries to seal wine bottles because of its elasticity, impermeability, and ability to let a small amount of oxygen diffuse into the wine, which is good for aging. Napa valley wine corks are used in various arts and crafts projects because they are also environmentally beneficial, as they are made from the bark of cork oak trees that can last 300 years. They are still preferred for premium wines due to the tradition and perceived quality they represent.
Synthetic cork
Since their introduction in the 1980s, synthetic corks, commonly made of polyethylene, have steadily gained popularity. They are cheaper and easier to produce than natural corks. They provide an airtight seal like natural corks but without the risk of cork taint – a chemical flaw in cork that can spoil wine. They can be imprinted in multiple colors with various designs, making them more visually appealing. They are still gaining favor with winemakers who want more consistent sealing without cork taint. They also offer design advantages due to the variety of colors and textures available.
Crown caps
Crown caps are metal bottle caps commonly used for sparkling wines and non-alcoholic beverages. They provide a very tight, leak-proof seal that completely prevents oxygen from entering the bottle. Crown caps bulk can be used in many different bottle shapes because the same cap and corking machine can be used for all bottle shapes. Sparkling wines use crown caps during secondary fermentation to help contain the carbonation bubbles until the very end of the bottling process. This helps ensure the wine develops the right flavor and texture. They are cheaper than other closures like natural corks and synthetics and can be visually appealing because they can be printed in many colors with designs or logos on them.
Screw caps
Screw caps cork coasters have become increasingly popular since their introduction in the 1960s. They are preferred for wines meant to be drunk young and do not require long-term aging. Like crown caps, screw caps provide an airtight seal that completely prevents oxygen from entering the bottle. They are more airtight than natural corks but still allow tiny amounts of oxygen through to help young wines age properly. Their airtight seal prevents oxidation and spoilage, ensuring wines maintain freshness and quality over time. This closure eliminates cork taint, ensuring the wine's intended flavor remains intact.
Oringi corks
Oringi corks are a new type of closure made from a combination of natural cork and synthetic materials. Oringi corks provide the benefits of both worlds. They combine the positive properties of natural cork and synthetic materials to improve sealing and longevity. This makes them suitable for different wines, from everyday to premium ones. They are designed to improve sealing and longevity to enhance the flavor profile of the wine over time.
The design of wine corks matters because it impacts how the wine ages in the bottle, how well the cork seals the bottle, and how the packaging looks to consumers. Different materials and shapes provide different benefits for the wine and packaging.
Natural cork design
The porous texture of corks by mail allows for micro-oxygenation. This is when tiny amounts of oxygen seep into the bottle over time, which helps the wine age and develop its flavors. The unique, uneven surface of natural corks helps them compress tightly within the bottle neck to create a good seal despite their bumpy texture. This combination of smooth and porous regions lets the cork expand to seal the bottle without leaking air or liquid. The different lengths and diameters of natural corks help them fit a range of bottle shapes and sizes. Longer corks require corkscrews to extract them without breaking.
Synthetic cork design
Synthetic corks avoid cork taint. Cork taint is an undesired musty smell caused by a chemical called TCA that sometimes contaminates natural cork. Unlike corks, synthetic corks are made from durable plastics that are more uniform in shape and material. They provide a tighter, more consistent seal that prevents even micro amounts of air from entering the bottle. This ensures the fruit flavors remain fresh and vibrant in wines meant to be consumed within a few years. The design of synthetic corks includes features that accommodate different bottleneck shapes, like straight or spiral ends that snugly fit various bottles. They are easier to manufacture in different colors and have marketing logos or branding printed on them.
Screw caps design
The metal cap's inner liner coated with special foils creates a perfect barrier that blocks air and keeps the wine stable. The threads cut into the bottle neck and cap allow the screw cap to securely twist on without risking leaks. The uniform, smooth shape of screw caps, compared to the more textured cork alternatives, makes them easier to quickly screw onto thousands of bottles during high-speed manufacturing. Some screw caps have tiny openings that let controlled oxygen levels enter, which harmonizes bold red wine cork coasters for aging and preserves delicate whites longer.
Crown caps design
Wine crown caps got their shape and pronged edges from the first 1910s crowns made by the winning Kaiser factory. Shaped like bottle tops, these metal caps snugly seal bubbles inside sparkling wines like champagne. Crown cap generations have stayed the same because they excel at sealing carbonated wines. Their strong metal shields withstand champagne bubbles trying to escape pressure inside the bottle. Regular bubbles balance an aged prosecco through small holes in the cap. Crown caps accommodate diverse neck shapes with flexible liners that cushion their smooth rounded tops against the bottle opening.
Oringi corks design
Oringi corks are crafted from a blend of natural cork and advanced composite materials. This ensures both flexibility and durability. The design features a natural cork top layer for the classic extraction experience and a firm inner core molded from synthetic polymers. This core provides a tight, airtight seal that protects the wine from oxidation. The base of the Oringi cork is meticulously tapered to fit a range of bottle necks securely, accommodating diverse packaging designs. The combination of textures from the smooth inner core to the porous outer cork creates a visually appealing contrast.
Corked wines require closures like natural corks, synthetics, screw caps, crown caps, and Oringi to seal different types of wine bottles. They keep air from spoiling the wine and help the wine develop good flavors over time. Various closures suit specific surviving and aging needs based on wine types and packaging requirements.
Natural corks used scenarios
Natural corks seal still red and white wines kept in bottles. They seal old wines meant to mature and develop rich flavors over years. Wines like Napa valley wines with aged flavors benefit from slow oxygen seepage through corks.
Synthetic corks used scenarios
Synthetic corks work well for cork coasters sealing wines needing speedy consumption or quick turnover sales. They suit modern packaging and bottling assembly line manufacturing speeds. Wines like fruity young chardonnays enjoying freshness seal better with taint-free synthetic corks. Large production rosés, dessert wines, and jug wines sharing quick supermarket shelf life depend on affordable synthetics.
Screw caps used scenarios
Screw caps are versatile closures for various wine types, especially those meant to be consumed young and not require long-term aging. They are commonly used for rosés and white wines that are best enjoyed fresh and fruity. The airtight seal of a screw cap prevents oxidation, preserving the wine's vibrant fruit flavors. They are also widely used in regions like Australia and New Zealand, well-suited for high-volume bottling operations due to their efficient application and removal process. Their ability to completely block oxygen makes them ideal for sparkling wines as well, helping to retain their effervescence and freshness. The combination of new wine preparation and sparkling wine stabilization makes screw caps adaptable for still and sparkling wines alike.
Crown caps used scenarios
Crown caps play a crucial role in sealing sparkling wines, including Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava. The tight seal of a crown cap retains the carbon dioxide gas responsible for the bubbles in sparkling wines. This protects the wine from oxidation and preserves its effervescence until opened. Beyond sparkling wines, crown caps are also used for lighter sparkling waters and ciders, making them a versatile closure for beverages containing carbonation. Their durable design, combined with a liner that cushions the cap against the bottle neck, accommodates the pressure built up within bubbly wines, ensuring a long shelf life and stability during storage.
Oringi corks used scenarios
Oringi corks represent a modern solution that combines the benefits of both natural and synthetic closures. They are ideal for a wide range of still wines, providing a reliable seal that prevents oxidation while allowing controlled micro-oxygenation. This makes them suitable for both light-bodied and full-bodied reds, as well as whites that may be aged in the bottle. Their design offers flexibility in packaging for differing varietals and styles of wine. Oringi corks are particularly appealing to winemakers focused on quality and consistency, without the drawbacks of cork taint or synthetic closure defects.
The performance and longevity of wine bottle closures depend on proper care during bottling and other maintenance throughout bottle storage and aging.
Natural corks come from the bark of cork oak trees in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Portugal. They compress to form a seal that allows tiny air particles through to help wine age. High-quality natural corks used for fine wines have long-lasting elasticity and a lifespan of around 30 years.
Synthetic corks are made from thermoplastic polymers. They seal even better than natural corks and are more uniform, preventing cork taint. Polyethylene, the main component of synthetic corks, lasts longer than natural cork and has no air permeability. Bulk recycled crown caps also feature printed and colorful emerging designs.
Long, cylindrical screw caps or capsules of stainless steel and aluminum with ridged threads preserve oxygen-sensitive wines. Like crown caps, they are permanent closures with no moving parts to suck or push out air. Auxiliary liners can control air permeation for short and long aging wines.
Oringi corks combine natural cork and synthetic materials, balancing breathability and airtightness. They differ in colors, textures, and lengths to fit diverse bottleneck shapes and styles and provide varying degrees of microoxygenation for different wine types.
To prevent spoilage, maintain closures. Corks should be stored horizontally to keep corksmoistened and prevent cracking. Flaws like mold or sacred heart cork can develop if stored upright and exposed to air. Wines sealed with synthetic corks can be stored upright as they lack micro-oxygenation.
Closures should be periodically checked for signs of leakage or degradation. Natural corks may dry out or break, while synthetics may become brittle. Bottles should be inspected for sediment accumulation or other contaminants regularly. Cleaning or stabilizing agents should be used this way.
Use a damp cloth around the neck to remove dirt before serving. Preserve freshness until first opening with care. Natural cork requires twisting to release, while screw cap simply unscrews. Flat-edged crowns require a crown remover.
Stored closures retain sealing properties longer than sealed corks. Without sealed storage, air exposure degrades sealing ability. Synthetic corks degrade faster than natural under similar conditions. Sealed storage is ideal for longer life.
The longevity and performance of wine corks directly impacts the preservation of wine quality. Closures maintain the wine's integrity by preventing oxidation and spoilage.
Visual indicators like moisture, cracking, or cork worms mark degraded natural corks. Cork breaks air entry and spoils wine. Natural cork lasts 10-30 years based on quality and storage. It is recyclable or composted but loses sealing ability.
Synthetic corks from PVC or polyethylene last 10-15 years. Look for brittleness, discoloration, or cracking. Unlike natural corks, synthetics resist pests but may develop oxidation-related off-flavors if aged.
Screw caps last 10-20 years without signs of degradation. Visuals include dented metal or rust. They seal better than cork against oxidation. Recycling options available but permanent landfill disposal common.
Crown caps are made with steel, stainless steel, or aluminum that do not break down for decades. Spot corrosion, rust, or material degradation indicates compromised caps. Recap bottle for freshness.
Hand-wrapped or machine-sealed closures undergo testing for seal integrity. Standards ensure performance with minimal variation. Closures bear certification for low contamination risk.
Closures undergo accelerated aging tests in humidity and temperature variations. Measure extent of oxygen permeability and leakage under extreme conditions. Closures perform reliably throughout storage and transport.
Store wine in cool, dark, humid spaces to minimize light, heat, and air exposure to prolong closure life. Maintain a consistent temperature around 55°F - 65°F. Heat and temperature fluctuations accelerate closure degradation. Closures last longer when wines remain in optimal environments.
Regular inspections and timely replacement of compromised closures maintain wine quality. Use compatible closures based on wine type, varietal, and aging potential for optimal results.
