A closure for a container provides a secure closure for liquid containers while eliminating the disadvantages of traditional cork closures. The closure includes a reduced density core encapsulated by an agglomerated cork layer to which a cork veneer or printed paper or plastic layer is attached. This composite structure provides uniform pressure against the sides of the bottle finish while eliminating the problems normally associated with real cork closures, such as leakage of oxygen in and product out caused by lenticels.