Oak Wine Barrel

Among the great protagonists of wine production there are certainly the Oak Wine Barrels. The oak wood container is surrounded by a certain mystical aura. In fact, it is thanks to wooden barrels that wine and whiskey overcome the limits of time and become gastronomic jewels. Originally the barrels were used only for the transport of wine. But winemakers soon also discovered the crucial role of oak barrels in shaping the personality of wine.

Origins of Oak Wine Barrel

The barrel has been an integral part of wine production for centuries, serving the dual purpose of container and catalyst. The Celtic populations of central Europe were the first to use wood in this way. It was then the Romans, after the conquest of Gaul, who brought the barrels to all the Mediterranean countries. And centuries later, the British crossed all the oceans with wooden barrels on board their ships. In short, oak wine barrels conquered the world thanks to their practical use as a container for liquids. Because a barrel contains a lot of wine in limited spaces, and facilitates transport.

Only years later did the barrels become a real ingredient of wine. As oxygen in small doses is essential to preserve the vitality of the wine over time and the porosity of the wood allows its passage in tiny doses. Furthermore, oak wood contains tannins and vanillin which are transferred to the wine, helping to improve the taste of the wine.

Why Oak Wood for Wine Barrel

But what wood is used for the barrels? There are barrels made of chestnut, cherry, even eucalyptus, but the real protagonist is oak. Depending on its origin, a bit like wine itself, oak has different characteristics and therefore their influence on the wine changes.

The most famous type of oak is French oak. The French oak barrels give great finesse and release notes of vanilla and spices to the wine, increasing its complexity. Of particular value is the oak from the Tronçais forest. Then there is American Oak which tends to release more substances into the wine and is responsible for the typical flavors of the ‘New World’ style. You can expect hints of coconut and a touch of sweetness, creating wines with a pronounced and robust personality. Finally there are the barrels made with Hungarian Oak which are halfway between the two worlds. in fact, Hungarian oak combines the finesse of French oak with the intensity of American oak.