Additionally, the climate where the oak grows also affects flavors. You’ll also notice that aging periods vary depending on the winemaker’s preference as well as the type of wine. Examples of American wine producers who’ve championed the use of American oak include Silver Oak and 5 Star Cellars. Quercus alba on wikipedia The oak forests in France are the source of several species of European Oak trees, including white oak used for oaking wine. It’s also very expensive. French Oak (Quercus robur) is common throughout Europe and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) is a finer grain species that is more sparse. The painting is called The Dancing Couple by Jan Havickszoon Steen in 1663. After talking with several winemakers about using Hungarian and Eastern European Oak, many like to use it on full-bodied varieties, such as Malbec and Petite Verdot. American? For this reason, the average price of a new wine barrel costs the winery about $600–$1200. And, while we’ve outgrown the necessity for barrels to store and transport wine, we’ve come to acquire a taste for it. Vicard Cooperage Oak Grain Images Oak barrel alternatives are a good idea and here’s why: A lot of the aroma compounds in new oak barrels are wasted in unused surfaces (i.e. An oaked style (with French or American oak) that offers deep stewed fruit, spice, tobacco, and chocolate flavors with occasional notes of bell pepper and flinty rocks. There are many types of oak trees in America, but the species used for oaking wine is American White Oak (Quercus alba). A steely, tart, dry rosé. Oak alternatives take up a much smaller carbon footprint than costly and heavy barrels. From the golden hued Chardonnays of Montrachet to first-growth Bordeaux, the most expensive wines in the world are produced with oak aging. Not only are oak barrel alternatives cheaper because they can use more of a single oak tree, they are also more efficient to ship. ), A barrel and ceramic serving decanters are depicted in this 1600s Dutch scene. Thus, oak has become the accepted way to affect the taste of wine. A comparison of French, Hungarian, and American Oaks 02/22/2012. The major distinguishable physical difference between the wine oak species is its density. “Toasting” oak barrels to caramelize wood sugars. You can get a good pairing to anything you've got on your plate - master a reliable pairing method with this handy chart. Generally speaking, American oak is ideal for bolder, more structured wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah) that can handle American oak’s robust flavors and oxygen ingress, whereas European oak is ideal for lighter wines (such as Pinot Noir or Chardonnay) that require more subtlety. I co-founded Wine Folly to help people learn about wine. In a previous Wine Words post I gave a general overview of oak as it pertains to wine. Hungarian and Eastern European Oak is the same type of oak tree as French Oak (Quercus robur). Red oak is never used for winemaking because it is too porous. the outside of the barrel). A detailed peek into why wine barrels are such an integral part of modern winemaking. Oak staves, oak chips, and oak cubes are smaller and can use all sides to add aromas to wine. @WineFolly, It provides a suitable environment for certain metabolic reactions to occur (specifically Malolactic Fermentation). French? Wine experts often describe the American Oak flavors as dill, coconut, and vanilla. French-American? The oak forests in France are the source of several species of European Oak trees, including white oak used for oaking wine. Let’s take a closer look at the three main types of oak trees used for wine oak aging, as well as treatments that add the perfect ‘je ne sais quoi’ to a finished wine. 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