Altos Las Hormigas Eliminates Cork-Taint Risk by Switching to High-Tech DIAM Closure

Star Argentine winery, Altos Las Hormigas, releases first wine under its new DIAM closure, a specially treated natural cork closure that eliminate cork taint and increases wines' longevity.

Mendoza, Argentina (PRWEB) June 5, 2008 -- Altos Las Hormigas, an Argentine winery founded by Antonio Morescalchi and well-known Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini, has opted to bottle its 2007 Malbec under a new, innovative closure known as DIAM.

DIAM is a natural cork closure processed with a special CO2 treatment that eliminates the presence of trichloroanisole (TCA). TCA is responsible for cork taint, the term for wine spoilage indicated by wet cardboard or damp basement odors. Estimates are that two to eight percent of all bottled wine is affected by cork taint--a figure that annually costs the wine industry millions of dollars.

While some wineries have switched from cork to Stelvin screw tops or synthetic corks to eliminate TCA risk, Altos Las Hormigas selected DIAM because of its appeal to consumers.

"Even though screw-tops and synthetic corks eliminate TCA spoilage, many consumers still see them as an indication of a lower quality wine," explains Antonini. "DIAM is made from natural cork, so it is more traditional and appealing. Because it is 100% TCA free, our customers get the best of both worlds--traditional packaging, without the traditional problems."

The decision to switch to DIAM comes out of Altos Las Hormigas' philosophy of combining tradition with innovation. The winery believes this change will further their mission of producing wines that deliver an authentic, clear expression of Mendoza Malbec.

Altos Las Hormigas is imported to the USA by Vin Divino, a Chicago-based importer of wine fines from Argentina, Chile, Austria, and Italy. For more information, contact Dan Fredman at 323-899-9463.

For technical information about DIAM, please visit: http://www.oeneoclosuresusa.com

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