Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is KORKED™?
A: KORKED™ is a synthetic stopper for wine. Technically, it is a closure in synthetic material shaped with an inner channel, that by the interposition of an hydrophobic and permeable membrane allows the quantitative micro selection of oxygen passage.

Q: Why was KORKED™ invented?
A: If compared to the other synthetic closures already available on the market, the KORKED™ closure faithfully reproduces the behaviour of an excellent natural cork. The "controlled micro oxygenation”, that is the quantitative selection of the oxygen passage in the bottle achieved by the hydrophobic membrane, guarantees the ideal wine refinement or maintenance and the complete homogeneity of results.

Q: Is there a migration of substances from the KORKED™ closure system?
A: No, there is not. The employed materials are in accordance to the Community Directives (CE) and the American norms (FDA) as regards the packaging for food contact.

Q: Is there the danger that the wine pression breakes or changes the membrane?
A: No, there is not . The membranes used are resistant to a pressure higher than 4 atm.

Q: Which kind of stoppering machine should be used?
A: The tratidional stoppering machine can be used, provided it is equipped with a depressor.

Q: Should the stoppering machine be equipped with an orientation system?
A: No, it should not. Even if the KORKED™ stoppers show two holes with different diameters, in the inside there is the bi-directional membrane, which allows the same oxygen passage from each side.

Q: Is it possible to customize the closure system with the company logo?
A: Yes, it is.

Q: Which are the colours available for the KORKED™ closure?
A: The closure is available in the following colours : neutral, black, yellow, blue, wine red and green. The printing inks available are: black, white, blue and brown. The employed colorants are certified for food contact.

Q: Can KORKED™ PRO be used for sparkling wines?
A: Non, it can not. The KORKED™ PRO closures can be used only with still wines, such as white, red and rosé ones.

Q: For which wines is recommended KORKED™ PRO?
A: KORKED™ PRO is the all purposes closure, that means studied for all the still wines and in particular with those that receive a benefit from a less or more extended period refinement in the bottle.

Q: For which wines is recommended KORKED™ BLUE?
A: The objective of KORKED™ BLUE are the fresh and fruity wines also those lightly sparkling, and all the still "ready to drink" wines, also with great structure and body, that don't require an aging period in the bottle.

Q: How is classified the KORKED™ closure system as regards the recycling of plastic materials?
A: The plastic materials used for the manufacture of KORKED™ are 100% recyclable.

Q: Which is the difference between KORKED™ and a natural cork?
A: See Advantages.

Q: Which is the difference between KORKED™ and a synthetic stopper?
A: See Advantages.

Q: Which is the quantity of oxygen exchanged and the recording method? Which is the parameter of gas exchange between the KORKED™ closure and natural cork?
A: The oxygen exchange between the inside and the outside of the bottle that occurs due to the action of the hydrophobic permeable membrane was determined by measuring the average permeability values in high quality one-piece natural cork. The values of exchanged oxygen in KORKED™ and the recording system are the result of more than five years of studies lead by Korked srl in co-operation with the University of Udine. Such values represent the heart of the know-how of the company and can not be divulged, as per the reciprocal confidentiality agreement, signed also by the University. In the future it will be possible to have KORKED™ closures with a variable permeability to oxygen, according to the different types of wine and the requirements of the producer, who, supported by our technical department, will be able to create in a confidential and exclusive manner his own membranes to match his tastes.

Q: Can the bottle lay right after the stoppering?
A: The KORKED™ closures are composed by high elasticity raw materials, that guarantee a return in 10' from stoppering. Korked srl suggests in any case to await at least 48 hours before laying the bottles.

Q: How should be arranged the transportation and the storage of KORKED™ and of the wine bottled with KORKED™?
A: During transportation and storage, the wine should not be exposed to temperatures higher than 35° C (it is suggested to store and transport the wine bottles at a temperature between 14° C and 20°C). Due to the elastomeric and physic properties of KORKED™, it is suggested to transport and store the bottle in vertical position. We underline that the wine storage at different temperature determines, as it happens on natural corks, oxygen exchanges lightly different, as the natural cork transpiration and the KORKED™ membrane operate in function of the temperature.

Q: Since the KORKED™ closure system is kept inside a bag under a light vacuum, is the funtionality of the product guaranteed once the packaging is opened?
A: Certainly yes. It is necessary to remember that, as clearly indicated on the bag, it is suggested to use KORKED™ within 10 months from the manufacturing date; once the bag is opened, it is necessary to close it right away and use the remaining KORKED™ within the shortest possible time.

Q: How long can be KORKED™ stopper system performance granted?
A: KORKED™ srl grants the KORKED™ stopper system performance for three years.

Q: Which type of bottles can be used with the KORKED™ closure system?
A: KORKED™ srl grants the correct working of KORKED™ provided the bottles have a cylindrical an smooth neck, measuring at least 45 mm to the top edge (the reference is usually the classic “Bordeaux” bottle). Always indicate the used bottled type and, in case of lightly sparkling wines or special bottles, please send technical drawings and two bottle samples. For the optimum use of the stopper it is recommended to follow the instructions inside the manual (ask the sales representative).

Q: Why does the KORKED™ closure system show a diameter hole larger than the other?
A: The reason why the KORKED™ closure system shows a diameter hole larger than the other is to allow the insertion of the central support, that contains the membrane. There is no effect on the oxygen exchanges, since the membrane is bi-directional.

Q: Which material is KORKED™ composed of?
A: KORKED™ is composed by a thermoplastic mix without double chemical bonds in the polymeric structure, to grant an excellent resistance to aging. e au vieillissement. KORKED™ est certifié selon les directives communautaires et FDA américaines. En plus, l’haute qualité du mélange plastique permet une amélioration des caractéristiques de la fermeture pour ce qui concerne le retour élastique, l’adhésion au cou de la bouteille et la moindre altérabilité aux changes de température.

Q: How is KORKED™ stopper manufactured?
A: KORKED™ is manufactured using the single mould injecton technology, which grants constancy on each stoppers as regards weight, size and density. Actually this leads to high mechanical performances and an almost total resistance to oxygen.

Q: Do you have a R&D Department?
A: KORKED™ srl takes advantage in Italy of the research tean at the l’University of Udine, Department of Food Science, lead by Prof. R. Zironi, Professor at Department of Oenology and President of the University Course in Winery and Oenology. KORKED™ srl manages its own research centre and an internal lab both equipped with the most advanced instruments for extraction test, premature aging test, resistance to temperature changes test, in addition to experimentations and analysis of bottled wine samples. Since 2001 KORKED™ srl has been accomplishing all the records and the monitoring of thousands of stored bottles at controlled temperature and humidity, in order to periodically check both the chemical and the sensorial evolution.

Q: Can the KORKED™ stopper system release plastic smell, being manufactured in this material?
A: Absolutely not. We grant the no release of plastic material to the wine.

Q: How is lubricated the KORKED™ stopper system?
A: KORKED™ is externally coated by a silicone solution for food contact, in conformity to the European Community Directives and FDA norms.