To speak of wine is to speak of tradition, evolution and attention to detail. And within that complex, fascinating history, cork has been much more than a simple stopper: it has been the silent guardian of the world's great wines. From its humble origins in ancient civilisations to the innovative underwater ageing trials pioneered by Bodega Crusoe Treasure, the history of cork is also a story of transformation.
From past to present: the role of cork in the world of wine
Since ancient times, people have sought ways to preserve fermented beverages. As early as the time of the Egyptians and Greeks, cork was used to seal amphorae and limit evaporation. But it was not until the 17th century, with the emergence of sturdy glass bottles, that cork began to establish itself as the ideal closure for wine, enabling airtight seals and facilitating controlled ageing.
In the centuries that followed, as European viticulture flourished, its use became standard. Its ability to regulate the passage of oxygen made natural cork an essential ally in the evolution of wine in bottle.
Types of cork: beyond the classic stopper
The world of wine has greatly diversified its sealing solutions. Today, the main types of cork include:
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Natural cork: Ideal for wines intended for ageing. It provides progressive micro-oxygenation that contributes to the wine's aromatic development.
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Agglomerated cork: Made from cork fragments and resins, it is more economical and used for wines intended for early consumption.
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Technical cork: An evolution of agglomerated cork, with layers of natural cork and microgranules, designed for wines with medium-term ageing.
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Synthetic stopper: It offers a consistent seal with no risk of TCA (trichloroanisole), but does not allow for long-term ageing.
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Screw cap (Stelvin): Very popular for white and rosé wines, it guarantees an airtight seal without the involvement of cork.
Each type has its role, but how do these materials behave when wine is aged beneath the sea?
Cork underwater: Bodega Crusoe Treasure's underwater research
Crusoe Treasure, a pioneer in the production and ageing of underwater wines, has tested cork's behaviour in an environment radically different from that of a conventional winery. Since 2007, this reef winery located on the Basque Country coast has collaborated with research centres at the University of the Basque Country and the University of La Rioja, with LSEB Plentzia and the laboratory Excell Ibérica, led by the renowned oenologist Antonio Tomás Palacios, to analyse how marine conditions affect the integrity of the stopper and, consequently, the evolution of the wine.
Surprising study results
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Preservation of elasticity: Natural cork proved particularly resistant to the pressure and humidity of the marine environment, retaining its flexibility and sealing capacity.
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Oxygen regulation: Underwater currents and stable temperatures influence micro-oxygenation, encouraging the wine's slow, harmonious evolution.
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Durability under extreme conditions: Technical stoppers have shown outstanding performance, preserving the wine's quality even after lengthy immersions.
This scientific approach has enabled Crusoe Treasure to identify the most suitable type of stopper for each of its wines, optimising the sensory experience of wines aged on the seabed.
The future of cork: innovation rooted in tradition
Thanks to initiatives such as those of Bodega Crusoe Treasure, we can now understand cork not merely as a sealing material, but as an active participant in the evolution of wine. Its interaction with an underwater environment reveals new, unexpected potential that is deeply appealing to oenologists, sommeliers and wine lovers around the world.
Enjoy the experience Crusoe Treasure
Can you imagine tasting a wine that has matured beneath the sea, sealed with cork that has withstood time, pressure and salinity to preserve its full essence? With Crusoe Treasure, it is possible.