Synthetic Corks
Synthetic corks are made of petroleum-based plastic, and are one of the major alternatives to natural corks. Proponents point out that the synthetic materials are not susceptible to TCA taint. But detractors claim that they may give their own unpleasant aromas and flavors to a wine.
The use of Synthetic Corks in Wine Bottling
Justified or not, synthetic corks also suffer from the stigma of only being used for lower quality wines. Many people would be dismayed to order an expensive bottle of wine in a restaurant, only to learn that it has been sealed with a synthetic cork.
Synthetic corks completely close the wine off from oxidation, thus suspending the aging process. Another negative is that some cease to seal the wine altogether after a few years. These wines almost inevitably go bad.
But most wines that use this alternative are not meant to be aged. Synthetic material is also quite a bit less expensive than all but the cheapest natural corks. That said it can be quite expensive to purchase the machinery that inserts them.
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