Corked Wine is Green After All, When the Cork is Sustainably Harvested

Good news, oenophiles – you don’t have to drink screw-cap wine in order to be eco-friendly. We’ve heard for years that it’s better to avoid corked wines – and cork in general – because it was claimed that cork harvesting was destroying a vital habitat.  But, it turns out that, as long as it’s sustainably harvested, using cork products actually helps maintain a healthy ecosystem in the region of Portugal where cork is grown.

Cork oaks promote a lush environment brimming with vitality, as their roots hold together soil to protect it from deluges and their branches provide homes for wildlife unique to cork forests.  As long as there’s demand for cork, this area will be protected.  Antonio Ferreira, a cork farmer in the Coruche district, explains the delicate process of harvesting cork that ensures the health of the trees.

From BBC News:

Farmers do not risk letting anyone loose on these trees with a sharpened axe. The men putting carefully placed cuts in the bark, and peeling back people-sized chunks of outer tree trunk, have been doing this job for years.

“It’s like cutting cloth for dress-making”, says Mr Ferreira.

Conceicao Silva, who works as a forest engineer for the organisation overseeing environmental standards in the industry, adds: “Bring the axe down too hard on the branch and permanent damage could be done, which will rule out generations of future harvesting.

“If it’s properly managed, what we are looking at here is the ultimate sustainable resource.”

Many wine enthusiasts were less than thrilled about screw caps, and this news might help raise public demand for cork so that vintners switch back.  So, next time you’re in the mood for a glass, choose a bottle with a cork.  As if you needed an excuse to drink a lot of wine, now you can say you’re doing it for the environment.  Cheers!

Link [BBC News]

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