Typologie – Le bouchon de liège

Typologie is a collection of design books about ordinary objects. This issue focuses on the cork stopper, from the earliest cut specimens of the 16th century to contemporary agglomerated versions. Contents include an extensive photographic section, a journey to the cork mills and factories of Portugal, industrial archives and corking anecdotes, and a sensitive encounter between a manufacturer, a famous consultant and a Catalan designer.

This small, devoted and familiar cylinder has always sounded like a cheerful call that brings guests to it. With its natural provenance, ancient origins and effectiveness in preserving wine, the cork stopper occupies an important place in our culture. Yet interest in corks wanes as soon as they’re extracted, and they roll out from under palms and onto tablecloths and zincs. Typologie has taken a closer look at this ubiquitous object, and in this issue devoted to it, gives it all the attention its beauty deserves.

It presents cork cultivation in the cork oak forests of Portugal, its artisanal harvesting and discusses the challenges of this industry, which subtly blends machine and hand. It questions the object in its use and its role in wine ageing. In reading this issue, readers will be able to understand the reason for their attachment to this consumable, and discover its importance in the ritual of wine tasting.