However, with the passage of time, many problems with the product itself have also been exposed. The biggest problem lies in the contamination of wine and the potential risks associated with the use of polyurethane adhesives.
The international wine industry has increasingly questioned this issue, especially in the 1990s when TCA-contaminated wines were as high as 20%. Here are some wine expert comments on this issue.
Synthetic plugs are considered to be more economical in various types of stoppers. They consist of broken particles of natural cork stoppers and are produced by extrusion or thermoforming. It must be pointed out that no matter which production method is adopted, glue must be used to bind and shape the cork particles. Even in the case of FDA-approved glues, we should recognize that synthetic stoppers cannot be used during the ageing of wine bottles. Wines using synthetic stoppers have a maximum shelf life of no more than 12 months.
With the geometric growth of wine consumption in the 1970s and 1980s, the large-scale use of synthetic stoppers brought about the peak of TCA pollution. In the 70s, if I found a bottle of corked wine, I would save it for my friends to give a demonstration. However, in the 80s, there was cork-contaminated wine in almost every box of wine.
The problem stems from the honey fungus, which is parasitized in the middle of the lignin of the cork particles. Once the stopper is driven into the bottle, the spores get the nutrition of the wine and begin to recover. Its metabolite is trichloroanisole, commonly known as TCA, which contaminates wine. The gap between the cork particles of the synthetic plug is the best safe haven for the spores.
Here I would like to question the quality control of synthetic plugs. The quality control documents of a manufacturer of synthetic plugs indicate that only 6 of the 1 billion synthetic plugs they produce each year are "suspicious" in quality. One billion to six, this proportion is much lower than the American Lotto Award!
There are always two major concerns about closing wines with corks. One of them, the smell of mussels caused by fungal contamination, causes the wine to produce a musty cardboard box. Especially for synthetic stoppers, many sommeliers found that there was a taste similar to glue, and the wine was also contaminated, which was caused by the adhesive used by synthetic stopper manufacturers in order to bind the cork particles together. At the same time, due to the use of cork particles of different origins on one plug, the chance of fungal contamination has greatly increased. As the problem of wine cork contamination continues to rise (usually below 5% is considered acceptable), many winemakers are beginning to use alternative products, polymer plugs, or screw caps.
In October 2004, Beaujolais, the famous French producer, formally issued a decree prohibiting the use of synthetic stoppers on bottled wines. The scope of this decree covers all sub-regions of the Beaujolais region.
The enactment of this decree stems from a test that began in 2003. From 2003 to 2004, the Beaujolais region tested a total of 633 wines in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and established a quality tracking system. An important link between cork contamination and synthetic plugs was found. Among wines using synthetic stoppers, 27.5% were judged to have cork contamination.
The current ban has officially become part of the quality regulations for the area of ​​Beaujolais that was promulgated in 1992.
It must be acknowledged that since the large-scale TCA pollution appeared, the manufacturers of polymer plugs have improved the product. However, the use of a large number of additives containing disinfecting ingredients in order to kill fungi has undoubtedly increased the potential risk to wine safety. The choice of the French Borolet region is rather sensible.
Radiator Cover,Custom Radiator Covers,Wooden Radiator Covers,Adjustable Radiator Covers
DUOBUY TECHNOLOGY SHANDONG CO., LTD. , https://www.doubuytech.com