06/29/05 Oak barrels

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and recently I was asked about the use of barrels in wine making so on today's program we are going to discuss the use of wood barrels in the making of wine. Many wines have some sort of contact with wood during the winemaking process. Traditionally this was accomplished by storing the wine in wood barrels for aging. Wine barrels are nearly always made from oak. The oak imparts tannins and elements to the wine which are usually identified by a creamy vanilla character. There is very limited exposure to air while the wine is in the barrel and they are kept in rooms where the temperature and humidity can be controlled to offer ideal conditions for aging or fermenting the wines in the barrel. Despite their small capacity and the time and effort that it takes to fill, empty and clean them they still a popular tradition all over the world. The act of constructing a wine barrel is both a science and an art as every aspect of the barrel construction affects the taste of the wine. The barrel maker is called a Cooper and the shop where barrels are made is called a Cooperage. If you are ever in the vicinity of a cooperage inquire as to whether they offer a tour of the facility. It is a fascinating process that will truly increase your appreciation of the effort that goes into the building of these amazing wine vessels. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.