When it comes to wine, the preparation is all about
tradition and class that has been followed since ages. It should be known that,
only a single kind of wood is accepted for making wine barrels and that is oak.
Even though walnut, cherry, pine, chestnut and redwood might be selected to
make barrels, and some are actually used to make wine, but only oak shares the
right association with the grape to fittingly age and deliver the correct
flavor.
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| Wine Barrel Market |
Why is Oak Preferred?
Oak is poised with chemical compounds such as tannin which
allows the wine to acquire tea, tobacco and vanilla-like characteristics
without getting overpowered. Among oak, there are different wood varieties that
are selected for preparing varied versions of wines depending on the oak-grape
relationship.
Types of Oak for Wine Barrels
Typically, wine barrels are prepared using any of the two
types; namely, American oak and French oak. Some of the prime characteristics
of these two versions are:
American Oak
The best part about American oak barrels is that, they are
available in small & large sizes both. Several manufacturers use American
oak for ageing almost all wine varieties; this is why the wine
barrels market is highly motivated by the demand for these oak barrels.
Interestingly, Zinfandel blends more smoothly with this particular oak wood.
Also, merlot and Syrah deliver the same ease when it comes to American oak,
delivering a taste that can be sensed as vanilla, cream soda, or coconut.
French Oak
The French oaks are primarily used to craft Bordeaux barrels
that can hold a maximum of 59.43 gallons of wine. This variety of oak wood is
best suited for cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux and merlot in particular. In
addition, French oak is also selected to make Burgundy barrels that can manage
a maximum content of 60.2 gallons. These are best chosen to age Burgundies and
pinot noirs.
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