The use of synthetic corks for wine bottles has been steadily increasing over the years. It can be argued that aesthetics and nostalgia are mostly why they have not largely replaced natural corks entirely. They don’t make that bright popping noise when you open the bottle. They lack that romantic stain from the wine and don’t have all those nice little wavy patterns. They also don’t quite feel the same way in your hand nor do they absorb some of the wine’s bouquet. After all, synthetic corks are made of plastic and saying plastic and wine in the same breath can easily make any wine aficionado queasy. However, when examining the details, you really have many good reasons for using them as an alternative to natural cork stoppers. That said, there are still some advantages to natural corks, which might partially account for why they are still the industry standard for commercial bottling.

First, let’s talk about function. Most poignantly, synthetic corks eliminate the problem of cork taint. In a 2005 study, 2800 bottles were blind tasted in Napa, California. 7% of the bottles were tainted. Synthetic corks are less likely to break or crumble when being removed. They are also cheaper and much more consistent in size and shape. Synthetic corks are typically made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polyethylene is a strong and durable plastic that is resistant to moisture and oxygen, making it ideal for use as a wine bottle seal. They are produced in an injection molding process, which involves injecting a molten plastic into a mold that is shaped to the desired size and shape. After the corks have been cooled and taken out of the mold, they are ready for use.

When it comes to storing your wine bottles, another advantage to synthetics is that you don’t need to store them on their sides. The synthetic cork is impermeable, so it will protect your wine from the air regardless of the bottle's position. This eliminates the need for a wine rack.

They are also known for being better for “short-term” long-term storage. Ok, so that sounds like a weird idea, so let's clarify. While synthetic corks are impermeable, meaning that no air can enter or escape the bottle, there is an asterisk. Synthetic corks are not indestructible and after ten years, they can become brittle and crack. If you do intend to age your wine longer, you must change the corks. Natural corks, on the other hand, are more porous and can allow some air to enter the bottle. They do worse in the beginning and better over longer periods of time. For the short term, there is a greater likelihood of a small amount of oxidation. Long “long-term” shelf life is an example of how natural corks still fare better if you are using high grade dense corks. The cheap natural corks won’t give you much longevity either way. A high-grade natural cork can last 2-10 years if properly stored. But for the home winemaker, this is not much of an issue as most winemakers drink their wine within a few years.

Another negative for synthetic wine corks is an environmental issue. They are not biodegradable. This might be a dealbreaker for the environmentally conscious winemaker. There is already too much plastic waste in the world.

Better long-term viability is likely the functional reason why natural corks remain standard for commercial wines, especially with more expensive bottles. They have a much greater probability of being aged and ten years is not that long in this context. Therefore, if you don’t plan to age your wine to that ten year threshold, you might want to consider synthetic corks if you have not already.

Lastly, if you do plan on making the switch, you must purchase a floor corker. They will not work with hand corkers.

Overall, synthetic corks provide you with a cost effective and reliable alternative to natural cork for sealing wine bottles. In some ways they are also superior minus a few functional weaknesses. It is ultimately up to you and your preferences for choosing which type of cork is best suited for your wine bottles. It is also not just about function. As already noted, natural corks have romantic and sentimental qualities, and we are talking about wine, not laying pipe. There is something to be said for beauty and some people do not like that dull thud you hear when popping a synthetic cork. In the end, you must weigh the pros and cons. Synthetic corks have many valid advantages for the home winemaker. 

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