rolhas

Rolhas are closures used to seal bottles, most commonly wine. In Portuguese, rolha usually denotes a cork stopper, but can refer to any sealing plug for bottles. The traditional and most common closure for wine is natural cork, derived from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber).

Other cork-related closures include agglomerated cork (made from cork granules bound together) and microagglomerated cork, as well as synthetic corks produced from plastics or cork composites. While natural corks remain widely used, some producers opt for alternative closures such as screw caps or synthetic options, depending on the wine and market.

Natural cork stoppers provide elasticity and compressibility, allowing a reliable seal under bottle pressure, which is especially important for sparkling wines. The cork industry harvests cork from living cork oaks in cycles, enabling regrowth; Portugal and Spain are the major producers.

Environmentally, cork is a renewable resource since the bark regrows after harvest, and cork forests contribute to biodiversity and carbon storage. The cork sector also supports rural economies and recycling streams, with used corks often repurposed into products like flooring and insulation.

Quality and challenges: cork taint, caused by the compound TCA, can impart musty flavors to wine, although improvements in harvesting and processing have reduced risk. To mitigate taint and supply considerations, some producers use alternative closures, balancing tradition with reliability and market demands.