Grade 4 “First” Natural Wine Corks, Plain, 38 X 24 Mm (High Grade), 1,000/bag

High Grade Natural Cork (4th of 9) for Aging Wines 3 to 4 Years
Securely seal your wine bottle with our grade 4, First quality 38mm x 24mm natural straight cork stoppers! Natural cork’s elasticity, combined with its near-impermeability, makes it the perfect material for topping wine bottles and more. First quality natural cork stoppers are an economic alternative to the highest quality grades while still offering good sealing, a natural aesthetic and good mechanical characteristics.

Our 38 x 24mm First quality corks are #9 and compatible with most traditional 750 ml bottles and 375 ml bottles. The secure seal created by the cork allows for aging from 3 to 4 years when inserted correctly with a compatible bottle.

These natural wine cork stoppers have been peroxide washed to disinfect and lighten the color for visual appeal while still maintaining a natural appearance. This pack of corks stoppers has no print to highlight the natural aesthetic.

The cork surface has been coated to allow for easier corking and extraction while improving impermeability. This coating lasts no longer than six months. Our natural corks should be used immediately and not stored for longer than six months. We ship direct from the source in Portugal to ensure a fresh coating. This cork comes 1,000 per pack – at Wholesale Pricing!

Key benefits

• High grade natural cork (4th of 9) material
• Suggested for aging wines from 3 to 4 years
• Good sealing
• Good mechanical characteristics
• Peroxide washed for lighter color
• Not printed to highlight natural aesthetic
• Sourced sustainably

Why natural cork?
Natural cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. This organic material has an intricate cellular structure similar to a honeycomb which creates a compressible, impervious material that is resilient to environmental changes such as temperature and moisture. Natural cork is the only material that can adapt to the internal irregularities of the neck of a wine bottle ensuring proper sealing even if the glass expands or contracts during storage or shipping.

The maturation of wine finished with a natural cork is predictable as oxygen ingress with natural corks is largely a result from diffusion. Additionally, the physical properties of natural cork interact with wine during the maturation process by developing its character and impacting the creation of the bottle bouquet – the aroma developed during aging.

What size cork do I need?
Choosing the right size cork for your bottle and maturation process is essential for ensuring the ideal evolution of the bottled wine. Cork measurements are typically expressed in millimeters with the length of the cork first and the diameter second.

The diameter of the cork is the most important measurement for creating the proper seal. A natural cork stopper should be at least 6mm wider than the smallest diameter of the neck of the bottle. However, if the cork is compressed by more than 33% of its total diameter when inserted into the bottle, the honeycomb-like cellular structure of the cork may become damaged and impact the quality of sealing. 24mm is the most common cork diameter. This size fits most industry-standard wine bottles.

The second dimension, the length of the cork, also can affect the quality of the seal. Typically, longer cork stoppers are associated with longer bottled maturing, but choosing the appropriate cork length for the bottle will prevent leakage or poor sealing.

What grade cork do I need?
Natural cork is typically classified into categories based on several criteria including visual appearance, density, humidity, surface treatment, extraction force, etc. The highest quality is Flor or Flower grade with the smallest quantity and size of pores. From highest quality to the lowest, traditional classifications include: Flor, Extra, Super or Superior, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th.

High grade corks are typically used for bottling quality wines for longer periods of cellar aging. This is because the higher density corks create a better seal and offer a smooth aesthetic with fewer cracks and no greenwood. The Cary Company sells natural corks in Flor, Extra, Super and 1st quality to help you ensure a proper seal.