How Oak Influences the Taste of Wine

1. How Oak Influences the Taste of Wine ©www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/ | All rights reserved.

2. Oak barrels are certainly beautiful to look at, layered in their rustic lofts at local wineries. However, the primary reason that good wine spends much of its life aging in barrels is far from merely cosmetic. In fact, there is a rich history, as well as a thorough scientific reasoning, behind the process of using an oak barrel to influence and improve the taste of wine. It is an illustrious and challenging art form that has inspired vintners around the world ever since the first century. Wooden barrels: a cooper’s genius For thousands of years before the iron age, clay pots were widely used to store liquids. Fragile, heavy, and awkward to maneuver, they were far from ideal, especially for long voyages. Thankfully, clay got a significant upgrade around 800-900 BC, when iron age coopers accomplished the ingenious creation of the wooden barrel. These were made initially with wooden hoops, and eventually metal ones. However, the palm wood design was expensive and challenging to make airtight. ©www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/ | All rights reserved.

3. By the first century, wooden barrels had become common household objects, used to hold everything from beer to olive oil. However, it didn’t take long for wine lovers to realize that the longer their wine sat in its storage barrel, the more flavorful and aromatic it became. Seemingly overnight, barrel aging was no longer merely a functional choice, but rather an avenue for a brand new craft. Wine making: an illustrious art form Before wine takes its lengthy nap in an oak barrel, it first must undergo the fermentation process. This involves a number of crucial steps, which, when artfully accomplished, contribute to fabulous wine. The grapes must first be harvested at peak ripeness, cleaned, and crushed. Yeast, tartaric acid, and sugar must be measured and gradually added, and the mixture must be carefully filtered. After several weeks and a couple of racking transitions, the wine is finally ready to be transferred to its wooden storage vessel. Choosing the perfect barrel for the aging process will ensure that the end result exemplifies the vintner’s art. ©www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/ | All rights reserved.

4. Controlled oxidation: an oak barrel magic trick When wine drinkers think of oxidation, they may panic just a bit. After all, oxidation causes wine to go sour, doesn’t it? Well, yes. While an uncorked bottle of wine will absolutely lose its character as it makes contact with oxygen in the air, ironically, controlled oxidation is actually a necessary part of the winemaking process. The difference, as the name suggests, is that the process is controlled. Oak barrel aging works because the porous nature of the wood very gradually allows oxygen to make contact with the wine held within. This gradual oxidation lowers astringency, provides deeper color, and develops a mosaic of fruity aromas. The racking process plays a role in oxidation, as well, but the wine barrel, itself, is of primary importance. ©www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/ | All rights reserved.

5. Barrel craftsmanship: a modern miracle Given the complexity of barrel making and the craftsmanship necessary to accomplish an ideal wine barrel, coopers are often considered artisans as much as wine makers, themselves. In fact, to this day, modern coopers undergo a rigorous 7 year apprenticeship! Clearly, a great deal of training is involved in perfecting the art. It stands to reason, then, that wine barrels are highly esteemed, invariably reused, and frequently repurposed once their wine-making years have passed. Rocky Mountain Barrel Company is a Denver-based curator of quality used wine and whiskey barrels from all over the world. From Scotch whiskey to Caribbean rum to Italian wine, we consistently stock the very best barrels to delight our discerning clientele. Whether you intend to craft your own wine at home or build an oak barrel dining table, our team of experts can assist you in locating beautiful, artisanal offerings for any purpose. Come in for a tour today, and discover the utter magic of repurposed oak. ©www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/ | All rights reserved.

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