Amorim, the world’s largest cork producer, has recently purchased its Australian distributor, Cork & Seals. It intends to establish a high-tech cork plant in Melbourne, the first facility of its kind outside Portugal, representing a total investment of $7.5 million. Amorim will use the plant to supply customers in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China. The plant will manufacture Twin Top corks, which combine an agglomerate centre with natural cork discs glued to either end, a concept not unlike that used for sparkling wine corks. I expect this cork to perform well for wines intended for immediate consumption or short-term cellaring.
