Return of the cork?

Surprisingly in the age of the screw cap Portuguese cork producer Amorin posted sales volume increases of 13.8%, selling 3 billion wine stoppers last year. Their output accounted for 26% of all cork stopper sales in 2010.

Amorim recorded growth in all its major Old World wine markets with France, Italy and Spain breaking sales records with double-digit year-on-year increases. The UK market increased by 50% and New World wine markets also saw improved performance levels. Amorin's CEO said they had seen a number of wineries returning to cork in the last 12 months, based on significant improvements in cork's performance together with sustainability and consumer preferences. The company estimates that cork represents 70% of all closure sales.