The Romans got here throughout oak barrels made for beer throughout their invasion of Gaul, and adopted them extensively as a result of they had been way more sensible than the clay amphorae that then had been extra often used for wine. Fabricated from tight-grained oak staves held along with steel bands, sealed with cork bungs or oil-soaked rags, they’re sturdy, watertight and straightforward to move and retailer by being rolled alongside the bottom and stacked on high of each other.
Not solely this, wine in barrels usually improves as time goes by. Compounds within the wooden soften harsh tannins within the wine, and impart flavours together with vanilla, spices, nuts and smoke, particularly if the wooden has been barely charred earlier than being stuffed.
Picket barrels additionally work one other form of magic: micro-oxidisation. Tiny quantities of oxygen go by the wooden into the wine, intensifying and stabilising its color, rounding off astringent edges, and giving a easy creaminess to each style and texture.
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Barrels range in measurement from conventional French 225-litre barriques to a lot bigger foudres which can include 20,000 litres or extra. New oak barriques will give essentially the most strident oak results to the wine, whereas barrels which were beforehand used and/or are bigger will go away a gentler mark of the wooden. The longer the wine stays within the barrel, the extra profound would be the affect.
As of late, most oak-influenced wine is fermented in stainless-steel then transferred to barrels for ageing earlier than being bottled. Oak barrels, no matter their measurement, are costly to purchase and keep, so usually cheaper wines could have oak chips or staves added to the fermentation vessel so as to add a thump of wooden flavours with out the expense of barrelling.
Crimson wines are mostly oak-aged however you too can discover whites which were fermented and/or aged in barrels. Bottle labels don’t all the time inform you if they’ve been barrel-aged so it’s greatest to analysis earlier than buying or ask for recommendation out of your native wine store. There’s an enormous number of oak-aged wines on the market to discover and luxuriate in – have enjoyable exploring which kinds you want greatest.
Oak-aged wines to purchase
Susana Balbo Signature Barrel-Fermented Torrontés 2019
Fermented in French oak barrels to present a natural savouriness, that is pure however intense with a lime juice freshness and a silky texture. Attempt with seafood and Thai dishes.
Les Terrasses St Nicolas de Bourgueil
Loire cabernet franc, half fermented in oak foudres then transferred to stainless-steel vats. This provides construction however doesn’t overpower its floral, aromatic nostril and brilliant, summery berry fruit. Served barely chilled to convey out its crunchy texture and stony minerality.
Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet-Merlot 2019
Aged for 11 months in new and used French oak barriques. With black cherries, blackcurrants and plums, plus plush tannins and woody spices, this wears its oak affect with satisfaction however nonetheless maintains finesse. Attempt with the beef cheek tacos with inexperienced salsa.
