There are many avenues to assist the winemaker in this creation. One of the ways is through the use of oak either during fermentation, after fermentation (barrel aging) or both.
Oak and Wine History
Wine was the drink of choice during early Greek and Roman times. Making it, trading it and preserving it took almost as much precedence as eating and breathing. Many vessels were used to store and to transport wine, such as the Amphora. This vessel was v- shaped at the bottom which made it very difficult for wine to stand upright. Another way needed to be found. Somewhere along the way, possibly with the Celts arrival into Burgundy, the forethought that wood was not only a great vessel (boat) for delivering wine, it could be a great vessel for packaging wine for transport also.
With much experimentation oak became the vessel of choice, primarily because of its pliability. Over time, through the transporting of wine from port to port, it was discovered that the wines took on new qualities and flavors. The wine wasn’t as oxidized and the tight grained wood performed some sort of mellowing and flavor enhancement, creating a better quality wine, which added a greater price value. Air goes the discovery of oaks affinity with wine and a marriage made in heaven.
Types of Oak used for Wine
Oaks are members of a family called Fagaceae. Within this family is the genus Quercus and within it lies 250 oak species, three if which are used specifically, by Coopers, to make wine barrels.
Those species are;
European Oak
- Quercus robur – found in French forests ( Limousin, Allier, Vosges, Troncais, and Nevers)
- Quercus sessilis – found in French forests (Allier, Vosges, Troncais, and Nevers)
American Oak
- Quercus Alba - found in American states (Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin).
As discovered by our Roman and Greek predecessors, oaks are distinct, and as unique as all things, each imparts different characteristics. In commonality, this tight grained wood affects the color and texture of wine, imparts vanilla flavor, spice, tannin, and is slightly porous which makes it ideal for aging. It’s up to the wine maker to decide which he or she prefers for their wine. Of the three Quercus sessilis is considered the best.
The Effect on Wine
Oak selection is not the only decision the wine maker has to make. There is the question of barrel size, light, medium or high toasted barrels, and whether to use new or old barrels (used over many vintages). Small (225 liter barrique) barrels and new barrels impart the greatest concentration of flavor and complexity. The wood to wine ratio allow the wine to absorb more smoke and vanilla nuances.
Larger barrels (used for wine aging) and old barrels create a more subtle effect. Through slow aging the wood adds roundness, fullness and complexity to the wine. The question of whether the wine would be enhanced by the effects of oak need to be asked also.
Not all grape varieties benefit from oak. Aromatic grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Alsace Rieslings and Viognier from southern France would not do well with added oak because the oak would mask and over power their aromatics and fruitiness. Red wine contact with oak gives the red wine a deeper color, softer texture and softer tannin.
Cabernet Sauvignon which is full bodied and tannic is softened and would get added complexity like mocha and toffee nuances. Chardonnay, a full bodied white wine takes on a deeper color and is enhanced with coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and clove nuances. The wine maker has to be careful with the use of oak. Over oaking a wine would render the wine unbalanced and wine should be balanced with not one nuance overpowering the other.
Wine Regions
Old world and new world wine makers use oak in one form or another. But there are a few wine regions that stand out and are recognized for their oaky style;
- Spain Rioja is aged in upwards of 10 years in large oak vats
- Bordeaux reds are aged in small oak barrels (barrique)
- White burgundies are aged in small oak barrels (barrique)
- Italy’s Nebbiolo
- California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
The Perfect Marriage
Like all marriages new discoveries are made, traditions are started and over time the marriage becomes richer and fuller just like fine wine.
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