The Banner Tasting Will Promote the Country’s Dedication to Sustainability and Innovation Including its use of Cork as the Wine Closure of Choice
New York, NY, October 11, 2022 – 100% Cork is proud to join Wines of Chile (WOC), a non-profit, private organization made up of Chilean winegrowers dedicated to promoting Chilean wines, at its ‘Chile’s Mosaic of Sustainability’ celebration in Miami, Florida on November 17th. The tasting, a first of its kind event, will showcase the Chilean wine industry’s commitment to protecting the environment with a focus exclusively on sustainable producers that choose to seal their wines with cork.
“We are excited to join Wines of Chile to celebrate their country’s unique wine and food, and support their dedication to sustainable winegrowing. Through partnerships such as this, and with sustainability certifications like Napa Green and events like NapaTHRIVES, APCOR and the 100% Cork campaign are committed to working with organizations around the globe that emphasize broad sustainability goals when it comes to preserving our natural resources and environment, which are crucial to the long-term viability of the wine industry,” said João Rui Ferreira, Vice President of The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR).
“Cork is the most sustainable wine closure on the market. That is a fact. Cork oak forests spread across 5.4 million acres in the western Mediterranean, and have been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the 36 top biodiversity hotspots in the world. The trees also serve as a carbon sink. When considering the full life-cycle of a cork, from the carbon sequestered in the forest, to manufacturing and distribution, cork remains carbon negative, or climate positive. We are pleased that Chile’s wine industry recognizes the importance of cork as a 100 percent natural and renewable resource, and a pillar of sustainability in packaging”.
Cork is a perfect balance between environmental preservation and sustainable development. As a foraged and not cultivated material, cork bark is carefully peeled from cork oak trees every nine years to produce natural cork wine closures. After the bark regenerates it continuously removes CO2 from the atmosphere. A single tree can be harvested up to 20 times and capture 20 tons of CO2 over its 200-plus-year lifetime.
Cork oak forests are one of the most important ecosystems in the world for preserving biodiversity, similar to the Amazon, and the African Savanna. It is the natural habitat for 135 plants and over 200 animals. Home to many endangered species that would not survive outside of these unique ecosystems, harvesting cork ensures that these forests are well taken care of.
Wine producers can turn to cork to help them become carbon neutral. According to a Cork Quality Council (CQC) review of audited life cycle assessment studies of cork, an average wine cork has a net negative carbon footprint of -276 grams per cork when the biogenic carbon cycle of cork oak forests is included, which is specifically allowed under EU Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules. The net amount is substantially higher for champagne and certain other types of corks, which can help producers offset their carbon footprint.
“Chile is an international leader in sustainable winegrowing and our winemakers are united in protecting our land and preserving our natural resources,” said Julio Alonso, North America Director of Wines of Chile USA. “We launched our Sustainability 365 campaign to highlight our producer’s dedication to sustainable practices from viticulture and wine tourism to social equity. Cork is an important part of this commitment and we are excited to have 100% Cork join us to educate wine lovers about its many benefits as a closure”.
Cork is the gold standard for sealing wines around the world due to its inherent natural qualities, which make it ideal for protecting and aging wine. According to studies commissioned on behalf of APCOR, cork closures continue to be the market leader for the premium wine market in the US. Surveys have also found that cork is the preferred wine closure by wine trade and consumers.
Supported by ProChile, the ‘Chile’s Mosaic of Sustainability’ event will take place at Miami’s renowned Rubell Museum. It will showcase the region’s sustainably-focused initiatives with a tourism seminar and a grand tasting featuring more than 40 sustainable producers, with a focus on the country’s largest wine region, Maule. The event will also feature the premiere of a Netflix documentary about Chile’s fight against climate change by Oscar Nominee Maite Alberdi.
About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.
About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.
About Wines of Chile
Wines of Chile (WOC) is a non-profit, private organization of 100+ Chilean wine producers dedicated to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wines. It is the oldest organization of its kind, formed in 1949 through the merger of two groups.
With offices in the United States, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Chile, WOC develops and offers promotional and educational programs for its members. Activities include lobbying, research and development, worker assistance, and serving as a network hub for associates.
