Featured Christmas Shopping: Viability of Antique Cork with Wormholes

Hello all!
I found a gorgeous wine stopper with a silver stag that would make the perfect gift for my silver collector and wine enthusiast father. However the wormholes in the cork give me pause. I know often these were in the wood when it was harvested, and this is at least vintage so old corks often have this anyway, but the asking price is a bit more than I'd like to pay and I want to be sure he can actually use it as its a bit useless to him otherwise. If I want to add to his collection I can buy other things that are much cheaper lol. Hoping our experts can guide me!
TYIA

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How difficult (expensive) would it be to replace the cork? Looks nice.

 

If he is a wine enthusiast wouldn’t he not want that cork to touch his wine??

 

but otoh...... he might like to display it !!!!!

 

He could save an empty bottle of his favorite wine maybe, and display of that way? Unless he is a no clutter guy. I think many wine enthusiasts save their labels, so why not a bottle?

 

Also I’m not expert but I probably wouldn’t want it touching my wine. I’d love to own it though. It’s a fantastic and handsome stopper.

 

LOL, I remember when I was a girl/early teen, I soaked labels off my parents liquor and wine bottles (my Dad was making wine in those days) and pasted them into a scrap book. Probably some collectible ones in there, but the scrap book got scrapped!

 

I soaked them off mine !!

 

It looks like the cork is probably dried out. I'd soak it in water for a while before using it.
As a wine drinker, no I wouldn't want it touching the wine, but these are usually used when a bottle is already open. I don't think it would ever touch the wine, and if it did, then hurry up and finish that bottle!!

 

Thank you for all your helpful replies! I don't know anything about wine and certainly nothing about corks so I don't know what is acceptable or not, and I can't exactly ask him haha

I think I'll see if the seller will take an offer on it. Its currently 90 euros which is a bit over my budget. As Frank mentioned it'll only be used on open bottles, and actually the silver tip on the end would make sure the cork doesn't really touch the wine anyway? If my father does want to replace the cork, it'll give him something to research which he enjoys. My concern was that corks that size are unusual to find now (I think) and never come as singles. But perhaps that's a thought for a later day.

 

Sounds like a doubly interesting gift for him.

 

I regret to inform you that the seller accepted another offer. Not sure what to do now as that was a pretty perfect gift all things considered, but the search continues!

 

You still have over a month.

 

I found my BiL an olive oil bottle holder last year. Happy bunny. Keep looking; the right thing is hiding somewhere.

 

I do technically, but starting the 24th I wont have much time to look. I've got work for two weeks on an event, I fly to Thailand on the 8th and then fly home to my parents on the 16th. So the earlier I find something the better! I'm sure something will come up.

 

Keep your eyes open for an antique corkscrew.

 

Already searching on that train of thought!

 

Check the Thai shops too for anything cool. There are lots of really nice things made new in Thailand! That goes even if you find pressies closer to home.

 

I do have an extra day or two so thank you I'll do that!