“For me, cork is the best stopper that exists in wine. There’s a very strong link between precisely the grapes, the oak, that we use to age wines in barrels and then the goal with the cork, which, ultimately, is simple continuity …”

"First of all, for me, the cork stopper is inseparable from Champagne. I can't imagine sealing a bottle of Champagne with a material other than cork. When you open a bottle of Champagne, I believe that removing the muselet plus the cork, is part of the ceremony and part of the myth of Champagne."

"The cork history is much, much older than Niepoort’s history. The first bottles were produced in the 17th century. This is one of those examples, and the cork was the perfect choice for stopping the wine from getting out of the bottle. It's impressive that you can open up wine from 1863 and the cork is still working."  

"Cork is synonymous with longevity and quality."

“As closure we use exclusively cork stoppers, we still prefer this very proven method. Wine professionals often ask me why we don’t use for rapid consumption wines, such as Côtes-du-Rhone whites and rosés, alternative closures and, in particular, screw-caps. My answer is that wine isn´t just a technique, is also emotion, and behind this emotion there are people.”

“(…) a seemingly simple decision taken by several wine producers to use synthetic closures instead of natural cork stoppers has a long-term impact. Understanding the reason why someone wants to find a synthetic and ugly cap in the neck of a bottle is something that is beyond me. However, this practice is causing serious changes in the cork oak forests in Portugal and Spain."

"The cork stopper is a product that has elevated Portugal to the rank of world leader and, therefore, should be promoted by all the Portuguese".

"It is a natural material of unique qualities. The application and research on its possibilities now generate very favorable expectations, recovering and expanding on the drive of decades ago."

"The cork oak forest is the 'rainforest' of Portugal and one of the most important habitats in Europe. It preserves an ancient rural culture that perfectly coexists with nature, but that will only survive if cork retains its value as an international product. (…) each time you take a cork from a bottle, you will hear in your mind the rhythmic sound of harvesting the bark or the melody of a bird reverberating around. A unique taste for a glass of wine."

“Cork is produced for and by the well-being of a significant community in Europe. As human beings, we have an obligation to ensure the subsistence and continuity of life of these communities whenever and wherever possible, especially when it comes to a self-sustainable product. Cork is human. It is part of us and we are part of it.”