Quality Control
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An ever-present commitment
A culture of quality and the pursuit of excellence are the threads that weave the fabric of the Lafitte Group’s global operations. Every stage of production—from the selection of raw materials to the quality assurance of outgoing orders—is subject to an integrated monitoring and verification system.
+8,000
TCA analysis (per year)
+4,000,000
Cork stoppers analyzed with PerfectGO (per year)
+6,000,000
Sensory-tested corks (per year)
Quality control.
Few companies are as focused and driven as Lafitte. A commitment to innovation and quality is combined with generations of expertise to design processes and equipment that enable us to guarantee flawless products.
The raw material undergoes several levels of control during production. Our demanding quality standards are measured at each phase of production by operators using advanced testing and measurement techniques. It is further inspected by the lab to guarantee the pre-established quality standards.
Our quality control
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Preventive Processes
Creating a perfect product requires dedication from the very beginning. These processes ensure the proper preservation of the raw material.
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Sterilization Processes
In order to guarantee the perfect preservation of our clients' products, we carry out a series of deep cleaning procedures to remove contaminants and off aromas.
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Process Control
Striving for perfection is an ambitious goal, but that doesn’t faze Lafitte. We want to deliver the best possible product, and that means maintaining control over all of our internal processes.
Preventive Processes.
Every effort is made to identify the most effective methodology for achieving organoleptic neutrality.
— A clean cork preparation process, with the minor impact possible to the material, respecting the safety of the workers and the environment;
—A process that selectively eliminates and extracts, with the best effectiveness possible, the unwanted organic compounds: chlorophenols and chloroanisoles;
— A process that does not affect the other organic compounds of the cork, responsible for the indispensable properties of the cork as raw material for bottle sealing and wine preservation.
Optimal storage of the cork planks
Cork planks are placed in a patio for a minimum stabilization period of 6 months, until they obtain a uniform moisture content. Cork piles are identified to allow the batches to be traced back to their origin.
Traceability is an essential point for certifying the management system by the International Code of Good Practice and the Chain of Custody.
Cork piles are constructed in a rectangular shape, perpendicular to the prevailing wind and on top of cement beams, to maximize air circulation, facilitate water drainage, and prevent microbial contamination.
Boiling cork
Cork planks are boiled in stainless steel tanks to remove impurities, clean the entire surface, and allow the cork to reach the ideal moisture content for processing. Each batch is boiled for one hour, reaching 20% more volume at the end, making them more regular and easier to work with.
Cork selection
After the resting period, planks are selected by specialized operators to be transformed into natural corks. The thinner planks will be used to manufacture discs for technical stoppers.
Autoclave
Process of deodorization, dimensional and hygrometric stabilization of prepared cork planks, by the combined action of water steam, pressure, and temperature, under optimized conditions.
Sterilization Processes.
MaxClean
At this stage, the granules undergo a complementary treatment to extract volatile organic compounds (such as 2,4,6- TCA) and reduce the microbiological load using a series of small autoclaves.
MaxClean Evolution (for cork stoppers)
Used in the treatment of natural corks, this technology removes any detectable TCA -cork closures. Compounds such as 2,4,6- TCA , and other undesirable organic compounds present in the cork are extracted by a deodorization/sterilization system that combines steam pressure, temperature, and time, while preserving the remarkable characteristics of natural cork and its incomparable performance—essential for the preservation and aging of wines.
Process Control.
TCA analysis
Throughout the entire production process, representative samples of each batch are subjected to chloroanisole quantification and analysis, using solid phase micro extraction (SPME) by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect unwanted components.
PerfectGO
PerfectGO It is a unique detection system, sensitive to TCA, which sorts cork stoppers according to the level of TCA s detected.
The cork stoppers are placed in a closed, inert space and subjected to a controlled temperature to volatilize the TCA e molecules contained in the cork.
TCA s are quantified by equivalence using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which allow for the separation of cork stoppers with a TCA -free content below the established limits, thereby ensuring that all lots are 100% free TCA .
Sensory analysis
Cork batches undergo sensory analysis by specialized technicians to monitor undesirable volatile compounds in corks, particularly 2,4,6-trichloroanisol (TCA).
The tests performed during production can be grouped as follows:
Tests de aptidão física
Humidity
Dimensions
Density
Tests químicos
Oxidant residues
Solid residues
Sensory analysis
Chloroanisole analysis
(TCA, TeCA, PCA)
Tests mecaniques
Extraction force
Sealing behavior
Capillarity
Resistance to boiling water
Elastic recovery
Others
Microbiology
Hydrostatic pump
Absorption
Quality Regulations.
We are one of the founding members of the Cork Quality Council (CQC) in California, and members of CTCOR. All material used in manufacturing and treatment is FDA approved.
Our Integral Quality Control Lab is committed to using the latest technological advancements to ensure the improvement of the production process.
In addition to our sensory analysis of all lots of cork stoppers, an external laboratory screens for TCA s using SPME and GC/MS analysis to help us ensure the neutrality of all our products.
Water-based paint.
Our exclusive use of water-based paint for all of our capsules is an important step in delivering total quality and safety to our customers. Water-based paint offers many benefits:
Environmental Safety
. Less than 5% Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C) and contains no heavy metals.
Human Safety
. Non-toxic and virtually harmless, containing no CMR classified substances found in other paints, which have been linked to cancerous and teratogenic effects.
Technical Quality
. The non-stick quality of this paint performs better on the bottling line for remarkable consistency.
Aesthetic Quality
Smoother, more homogenous coverage on both tin and aluminum materials.
Incoming.
All incoming cork is rigorously tested through Lafitte 's quality assurance procedures for cork and capsules and graded in accordance with Cork Quality Control (CQC) guidelines to ensure that the quality of the cork received meets the quality specified in the order.
Lafitte Cork and Capsule subjects all incoming cork to visual and olfactory inspection, while individual lots are sampled and undergo chemical analysis.
During sampling procedures, an Incoming Quality Control Report records the grade, moisture content, dimensions, visual quality, residual oxidants, hygiene control, potential degradation, density, sensory effect on wine, and external- TCA al analysis.
Lots are stored for processing and final surface treatment at Lafitte Cork and Capsule upon receipt of a purchase order.
Processing.
Bales of punched and washed cork are stored for processing in a clean, dry, well-ventilated warehouse arranged by size and grade.
Cork is branded by request with text or a logo to allow you to personalize the product and ensure its traceability. Daily visual inspection ensures correct color and quality of branding.
Outgoing.
The final surface treatment of the corks is determined by the type of wine and bottling equipment used by the customer. To determine the quality of the final treatment, samples are inspected for dust levels, sealing behavior, extraction force, and absorption.
All results are recorded in an Outgoing Quality Control Report prior to bagging and shipping to ensure quality standards match customer requirements.
Treated and tested corks are packaged to preserve cork in ideal condition by injecting the packed bags with SO2 prior to sealing.
Routinely, cork samples are aseptically removed after packaging and sent to an outside laboratory for analysis to ensure no bacteria, yeast, or mold contamination is present.
