The silicone rubber plugs threaten cork

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The wine and cork have formed an inseparable couple for centuries. But in recent years, there are other alternatives to traditional caps: plastic, silicon and glass, among other materials, are used to seal bottles. This circumstance is behind the crisis experienced by the cork of Malaga. In recent times the price of their product has fallen by 30%.
These farmers, specialized in extracting cork oaks, have achieved 15% more product in the bag this year, and is the name of the separation of the cork-tree trunk, due to heavy rains the last winter.
However, this increase in output unlikely to offset the low price received at the source. And it is to extract the cork from the cork is a completely manual task that is rewarded economically. At present, the Castilian-as quintal equals 46 kilos, ranging between 30 and 50 euros if low or medium quality, and between 50 and 85 euros if it is in good or excellent. The quality depends on factors such as humidity, age of trees or thick.
In the province of Malaga is about 12,000 hectares of cork between public and private forests. The main producing areas are Cortes de la Frontera, Ronda, Gaucin, people Genal Valley, Ojen and Junquera, mainly.
According to Rafael Cordero, Asaja technical Malaga Ronda, "the wine bottles have not yet abandoned the cork and is not expected to do so at least in the short or medium term. That is the hope of this sector. In contrast, the oak barrels in which wine is stored until packaging itself is beginning to clog with silicone. "
Wine taste better
The cork Malaga call on consumers to acquire the packaged bottles with cork stoppers. Support its request in the numerous studies that suggest that this material, being natural, improves the qualities of wine, enhancing its flavor and quality.
For its part, the spokesman claimed that values Asaja these people, because if the activity ceases for lack of profitability will be many unfortunate collateral damage. Keep in mind that the cork has traditionally provided significant revenue and labor in much of the agricultural fabric of the Highlands.
In addition, the environmental value of this activity is straightforward: "Our producers protect the typical Mediterranean wood, keep the roads clean and enhance its landscape value. Keep in mind that all these activities are those that attach to the population in rural areas, if we lose it is very difficult to regain it, "says Lamb.