No one really knows where wine corks come from but records show that the person who first closed a wine bottle with a cork and made it popular was a French Monk (Yes they are not just from Tibet) called Dom Perignon. In fact, their is a very famous champagne called Don Perignon that you might have heard a lot or rappers boast about. Regardless, it was truly an amazing invention that is still used to this day. You are probably thinking well what did they use to close wine bottles? Are you ready for this . . . oil soaked gross rags! I’m not kidding although I wish I was! They used it until the 1600s until someone decided that its not a good idea (thank god!)
A ‘cork’ is made from a cork tree and has just the perfect properties that go hand in hand with your typical wine bottle. It can not only be compressed (squeezed) but also very flexible. That is why its so easy to push it in the mouth of the wine bottle which is pretty much made from a solid substance like glass.
A cork works perfectly in keeping the air out (oxygen particles) from your wine helps immensely if you decide to age your wine. However, this is where this perfect fairy tale ends as corks being a natural product, does develop mold or fungi. Don’t worry though as it takes a long time for that to happen. Wooden corks are not used that much anyways these days as a plastic version of the cork is used. A plastic cork is made from special sterilized material and is the ‘cork of choice’ for many wine makers.
Regardless, that first wooden cork really changed how we can save our wine for next use. Don was truly a genius and if you can afford it, try his champagne as a thank you for all his efforts in helping us consume this great discovery of man. Thanks Don!