(Decanter) - Data compiled by research company Wine Intelligence for its Landscapes 2016 and 2017 reports shows that natural cork remains dominant in the US, China and Germany, where 60% of survey respondents chose it as their most favourite closure.

The research was based on surveys of 1,000 adults who are regular wine drinkers, conducted in 2016 and 2017.

James Wainscott, author of the report, told Decanter.com that China’s preference for cork was partly due to the historical strength of wines from traditional French regions, such as Bordeaux and Burgundy.

‘Natural cork is almost a given and is certainly expected for wines from these regions,’ he said.

‘Our data shows that China in particular views screwcap appropriate only for lower quality wines.