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Cork coatings and ink

Saw the following at a cork manufacturer's site:

  • * * Coating: the surface of the corks is coated with nutritionally safe products, guaranteed by the Food and Drug Administration and by the International Food Standards. The aim of this operation is to improve the seal of the corks, as well as facilitating insertion in fast moving bottling processes and a subsequent easy extraction.
  • * *

What's the coating made of? Do the first tier producers use coated corks?

While I am at it, the site said that the corks are either branded or printed. Just wondering what kind of ink they use.

Thanks.

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Reply to
Leo Bueno
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Hi Leo, the coating is made from a wax from the grape stems and the ink is from a dye extracted from the grape skins so as not to interfere with any of the wine qualities.

Sounds good anyway!

Reply to
Kirk-O-Scottland

I'm not so sure that's true, Kirk. While wax _may_ occur in grape stems, I believe it's more common that paraffin or silicone (food grade) is used to lubricate corks. Also, I've mostly (exclusively?) seen corks printed in black. The ink produced from grape skins is purple - not black - and is the same stuff the USDA uses to stamp meat products.

BTW, if there are any images on the _ends_ of the cork they are branded - not printed. Whatever ink is used on the sides of corks doesn't actually come in direct contact with the wine.

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Unless the wine seeps along the side of the cork - which happens often enough. Martin

Reply to
Martin Field

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