The wine and cork sectors have joined forces in matters of sustainability and research through the Operating Group SensoVI, which wants to increase knowledge of the effect of the cork stopper in the second fermentation in the bottle (draft) of sparkling wines as opposed to the crown stopper used by most producers.

The kick-off meeting of the project took place on July 1st in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in the presence of all the members of the Operational Group: RECAREDO, -manufacturer specialized in long aging with natural cork for all of its production-, GRAMONA, -a family winery with a winemaking tradition, recognized for crafting long-aged sparkling wines with natural cork stoppers since the beginning of the 20th century, with a sustainable and environmentally friendly philosophy-, the cork manufacturing companies for sparkling wine LOOK i THESIS with the coordination of Catalan Institute of Cork Foundation (ICSuro).

Research centers also participate in the project Catalan Institute of Vine and Wine (INCAVI), theInstitute of Agro-Food Research and Technology (IRTA) and the Institut Català del Suro Foundation itself.

Improvement of quality and competitiveness

The objective of this pilot project is to improve the competitiveness of wine farms based on the study of the positive contribution of the cork stopper in the drawing process instead of the crown stopper. In addition, it involves the expansion of the cork sector market with the development of a new cork cap adapted to the conditions of the second fermentation or draft. The validation of the new cap is carried out analytically and sensorially. Finally, a study of the perception of the final consumer will be carried out.

In addition, the GO SensoVI wants to increase the volume of business in the Catalan cork sector from the development of a new cork stopper specific to the circulation. This dynamism will have a positive impact on the amount of sustainably managed cork forest area in Catalonia.

Cork, a sustainable 100% material

The Operational Group wants to preserve the biodiversity of the cork forests (declared Natura 2000 Zones) and promote the replacement of non-recyclable auxiliary materials such as the crown cap, made of a multi-material aluminum and plastic, with natural and local materials such as cork, which is 100% sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable and contributes to the optimal maturation of the wine in the bottle.

The GO SensoVI project has a global budget of €246,511.63 and is supported by the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat of Catalonia and of the European Union through FEDER funds.

The beneficiaries

FRANCISCO OLLER: company founded in 1892, specialists in producing sparkling wine caps
exclusively, with 300 million corks produced (2021), the only producer of champagne corks
in Champagne (recognized by the French label: Entreprises de Patromoine Vivant). presence
worldwide, certified company: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22000:2018,
FSSC22000, FSC, Systecode Excellence and negative carbon footprint.

GRAMONA: Family winery with centuries-old winemaking tradition, located in the lands of the basins
of the rivers Anoia and Bitlles, in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia. Recognized for crafting
long-aged sparkling wines with natural cork and based on the xarel·lo variety,
backbone of its sparkling wines. They are faithful to a sustainable philosophy for their environment, and
that's why they resort to organic agriculture and biodynamics in the cultivation of their vines and in
the production of its wines.

RECAREDO: a family of pioneer winegrowers specializing in biodynamic viticulture in the Penedès
in Brut Nature vintage and long aging. They only grow their own vines planted 100%
with traditional Penedès varieties, with a more than decided bet on xarel·lo. The
Recaredo sparkling wines are the sublime expression of time, with minimal aging in
bottles ranging from 30 months to more than 15 years, always with a natural cork cap
for the entire production.

THESIS (Tapones y Especialidades del Corcho SA): Since 1958 specialized in the
manufacture of corks with natural cork discs for Sparkling Wines, Caves and Champagnes.
Personal advisor at the winery. It has ISO 9001, ISO certifications
14000, EMAS, SYSTECODE and HACCP.

Project co-financed by: