Inside the Cork: Jochen Michalski on Natural Cork, Innovation, and the Future of Wine Closures

Cork Supply founder & CEO Jochen Michalski joins Billy Galanko to unpack 40+ years of cork innovation, how the industry tackled TCA (cork taint), why oxygen transmission matters, and when to choose natural, technical, synthetic, or screwcap. Jochen explains Legacy (Cork Supply’s premium natural cork) and its X100 imaging, AI-assisted electromagnetic scanning that screens individual corks for TCA and internal structural risks to reduce bottle-to-bottle variation. We also dig into manufacturing, QC, climate impacts on cork forests, and why consumers still equate cork with quality. What you’ll learnHow TCA went from industry crisis to near-zero—and what “1 ppt” really means.Natural vs. technical corks: ideal use-cases and aging implications.Why oxygen control is central to wine development and consistency.How X100 imaging + sensory panels power Legacy’s screening.How bottle neck shapes, cork length, and bottling lines affect sealing.Forestry, climate, and the future of sustainable cork. Timestamps (Optimized) 00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast 00:23 Introducing Jochen Michalski and Cork Supply 05:31 Jochen’s Early Life and Career 07:43 Starting Cork Supply in California 13:28 Challenges and Successes in the Cork Industry 25:02 Innovations and the Future of Cork 26:54 Screening Corks for TCA 27:40 Sensory Analysis vs. Technology 29:13 Electromagnetic Imaging and AI 32:18 Legacy Cork and Market Trends 34:21 Technical Corks and Market Shifts 38:21 Impact of Climate Change on Cork Forests 40:01 Innovations in Cork Harvesting 41:15 Global Market Dynamics 43:10 Consumer Perception and Cork Quality 49:03 Future Prospects and New Markets The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!