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Barrel aging softens wine, creating complex flavors. Oak barrels are commonly used and change the flavor profile as the wine ages. The winemaking process is complex, requiring careful grape selection and management.
Barrel aging is an important step in the winemaking process. It is also used for some other alcohols, such as some specialty beers. During the barrel aging process, the wine softens, becoming more complex and pleasant to drink. Different types of barrels are used, depending on the wine, and the wine can also age for varying lengths of time. Decisions on the mechanics of the process are made by the winemaker.
When wine is made, the grapes are pressed and then left to ferment, often in stainless steel tanks. Once the wine has been sufficiently fermented, it is “racked” or pumped out of the barrels and filtered to remove the yeast, halting the fermentation process. After racking, the wine is far from finished. It has a raw, aggressive, intense flavour. Barrel aging allows the wine to settle, creating the rich, complex flavors most people associate with wine.
The practice of barrel aging is ancient. Winemakers before the birth of Christ understood that aged wine produced a better final product. The barrels were also easier to handle and ship, making wine a major export of regions that could support the grapes. During the barrel aging process, the wine is stored in cool, humid caverns to minimize evaporation. Controlled oxidation of the wine also occurs, changing the flavor and texture of the wine.
Different types of barrels are used. In many cases, the wine is aged in oak barrels, which change the flavor profile as it ages. Cask aging that occurs in oak barrels will produce a more tannic wine, while the tannins in the oak are lost. Wine can also have earthy, vanilla and humus flavors, again courtesy of oak. The oak itself changes over time, eventually becoming “neutral,” meaning it won’t have any impact on the flavor of the wine. Concrete and stainless steel barrels are also used for neutral aging.
People who are knowledgeable about wine often ask how it has aged. Many wineries publish profiles of their wines that include information about the barrel aging process. The profile typically indicates what type of barrel was used and how long the wine was aged. If the barrel is wooden, American and French oak are the two most common choices for barrel aging, although other aromatic woods can be used for unique wines.
The winemaking process is extremely complex and barrel aging is only part of it. The winemaker must also be able to select the best grapes, and the cellar crew must manage the grapes and wine well throughout the production process. When winemaking goes wrong, the unpleasant results are easily detectable for consumers.
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