A natural, pliable and renewable material, cork has been used as a wine stopper since ancient times. But it’s also an essential component in flooring, furniture, and footwear. This highly valued, lightweight material is impermeable to gases and liquids. It is also a natural insulator and damper, providing excellent noise and vibration absorption. Cork is also antimicrobial and resists mold and mildew.
While it is a durable material, regular maintenance of cork floors requires vacuuming or sweeping weekly to remove tiny debris particles that can wear down the surface seal. It’s important to wipe spills promptly as well. Cork mats are a great idea for wet areas, as they will cut down on splatters and help keep moisture from seeping into cracks in the floor.
To keep your cork floor looking its best, you can use a sanitizing solution to clean it. Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution and then wipe each cork block down thoroughly, focusing on the end that was inside your bottle of wine. Avoid over-saturating the cork, as it can cause it to deteriorate. Then place it on a hard, dry surface (the counter or kitchen table is a good choice) and allow the block to air-dry for about two hours.
The main source of cork is the cork oak tree, or Quercus suber. The trees are harvested for their bark every nine years, which yields a different quality of cork each time. The first harvest is called “virgin” cork, and has a rougher texture than the later harvests.
After the initial stripping of the bark, the tree will re-grow new bark that is smoother and more fine-grained than its predecessors. This cork is the most common form used for making wine bottles and other items.
As the granules of the Debouchage liege cork are soaked in water, they expand and create a seal that is both airtight and elastic. This unique characteristic is one of the reasons why it is such a popular material for wine bottle tops. It helps the wine to age gently, preventing oxidation and creating complexity as it softens the tannins and develops its aromas.
While technological advances in wine production may eventually render this once-precious material obsolete, it’s unlikely to happen soon. The fact is, the innate ability of cork to simultaneously seal and let in just the right amount of oxygen is simply unmatched by any other material, especially in an environment where wine is consumed often.
