Wine Barrel Blog Posts
Are you hungry to learn the whys and hows behind the complex barrel-wine relationship but don't have the time to do all the research? That information is NOT easy to find! We pole the experts and scour the science journals to learn as much as we can. And we share our findings here in a way that's easy to digest in just a few minutes.
Also, if you like discovering small artisan cooperages who make excellent barrels, you can find some here.
Toneleria Murua: Sustainability in the Barrel Industry Like Never Before
Tonelería Murúa: Sustainability in the Barrel Industry Like Never Before Most of the top barrel producers claim to support sustainability, but Toneleria Murua is taking sustainability to a new level. The cooperage was started by Elena Murua’s great grandfather in 1898. Elena studied biology and got a master’s degree in environmental engineering before taking over […]
7 Ways to Save Money on Your New French Oak Barrels
As a winemaker, French oak is king when it comes to creating finessed, balanced, age-worthy wines. The problem is French oak barrels are expensive, and prices keep climbing. Here are some ideas that will help save money and maintain the same level of quality your customers expect.
The Secret to Making Fresh, Balanced Wines with Oak – Why Your Barrel Choice Matters
Barrels and wine freshness – do they really go together? Yes, but it depends a lot on your barrel choices. Here are four things to consider that could guide you towards a more fresh, fruit-focused style of wine.
Pros and Cons of Working with a Small Artisan Cooperage
There are a lot of benefits to working with small artisan cooperages, but it’s not for everyone. Here are 5 pros and 5 cons to help you to decide what’s best for you.
Latest Research on Oxygen and Wine Barrels (in mostly plain English)
You know oxygen is an important part of the winemaking process, but that doesn’t mean you always know how to manage or control it. By understanding your barrels’ relationship to the oxygen in your wine, you can make small adjustments in the cellar that have a big impact on wine quality.
The Mystery of Wine Tannins
The only time I get a headache from wine is when I try to understand tannins. For years scientists have been attempting to analyze tannin evolution in wine, but even they’ve been stumped. And yet I’m attempting to make some sense of it…
Is There Gluten in Your Wine From Your Barrels?
Several years ago I discovered I had a gluten allergy. A few years later when I was working for a cooperage, I learned that some cooperages use a small amount of wheat paste to seal the head on the barrel.
Understanding Chardonnay's Complex Relationship with Oak
At one of the Chardonnay Symposiums, I heard a panel speak on the topic “To Oak or Not Oak.” And it made me question which style of Chardonnay can handle more new oak.
Is Longer Wood Seasoning Always Better?
“Seasoning”, also known as air-drying, is the process of leaving raw stave wood outside for a period of time before it’s used to make barrels. Longer seasoned wood is more expensive, but depending on the winemaker, it’s not always preferred.
Alcohol's Impact on Aromatic Compounds
Barrels can impact wine more or less intensely depending on the alcohol level of the wine. Taransaud conducted an interesting trial on the subject in which a red wine from Bordeaux was aged in 30L barrels for 90 days with varying levels of alcohol: 13%, 14.5% and 16%.