Cork Lifespan

[Lopes Pinheiro]

Hello Dear Port enthusiasts.

How long does a cork last?

Wine producers replace the corks every 20 or 30 years in the vintage wines they have stored.

How do wine enthusiasts usually deal with this issue?

Do they replace the corks, running the almost certain risk that the bottle can no longer be sold, or do corks generally last much longer than 30 years?

[Lucas S]

"How long does a cork last?"

I remember reading old threads and the consensus was that it takes about 40 years for a Port cork to be saturated.

"How do wine enthusiasts usually deal with this issue?"

We drink.

[Mike J. W.]

Personally I just hope for the best for the bottles in my cellar. I've read about some Port enthusiasts that recork and then wax their bottles, but I think thy are few and far between. I'm unsure if the Producers routinely recork their bottles that they keep in their cellars. That's an interesting question though.

[Eric Menchen]

I have heard of some recorking by producers, but I think those are few and far between.

I brew beer and have a corker, but the only time I've recorked a bottle was when I was travelling and planning to drink the wine immediately upon arrival. Decant off of sediment, re-cork to travel, enjoy sediment free wine upon arrival. While a failed cork is a worry, disturbing things and contamination is a worry too. A leaker is just an excuse to open a bottle.

[Andy Velebil]

Some producers do re-cork their bottles every 20-30 yrs. But keep in mind these are generally meant to be sold at some point. The machines that do this are quite impressive nowadays and do more than just re-cork.

Otherwise, if stored properly corks can last generations without issue. I’ve had bottles with corks well over 100 yrs old that have held up just fine.

[Glenn E.]

I have many bottles of Port in my cellar that are 50+ years old and still have the original corks. I've never heard of a Port producer recorking bottles every 20-30 years... given the longevity of Port, that would be a pretty significant expense.

[Moses Botbol]

The wax and foil are what keeps the saturated corks from falling out. Ask Ferreira on that one.

[Andy Velebil]

The wax and foil are what keeps the saturated corks from falling out. Ask Ferreira on that one.

Hah.

Truth be told, capsules were designed back in the old days when cellars were not as insect and rodent free as they are today. Was to keep said insects and rodents away from destroying the corks and thus contents inside.