Oak Treatment

Aging or maturing wine in oak barrels or exposed to oak is an important component of wine making.  There are many different types of oak - with each type having a significant outcome on the flavour characteristics and ageing ability of a wine.

Below is a summary of some of the important elements that need to be taken into account when selecting barrels for wine aging or maturation.

 

 Traditional

 Prestige Barrels

 American Oak

 Evolution

Selection

 Oak

 French

 Trancais

 American

 French

 French

 Grain

 Tight

 Extra Tight

 Mixed

 Medium Tight

 Tight

 Seasoning

 24 months minimum

 24 months minimum

 24 months minimum

 18 months minimum

 12-18 months

 Toast

 Medium

 Medium

 Medium+

 Heavy

 Medium

 Wine

Top of the range

 Top of the range

 Premium

 Premium

 Premium

 Aging

 12 months+

 12 months+

 12 months+

 12 months+

  8-10 months

Free Download

Oak Barrel Aging (PDF 160Kb)