April 2007

A Barrel of Information

By: Charlie Hardie (Cellar Master at Browns of Rivonia)

I think that the time has come to share with our clients just what is meant by the various expressions that mention the words “ barrel or wood.”

Basically when the grapes start to arrive at the winery, a decision is taken by the winemaker as to the best way to express the quality of the grapes. It is at this stage that the influence of wood in the development of the wine is taken. Fermenting wine in wood will give the wine a depth and complexity right from its birth. When a wine is fermented in barrel then you know that it is quite special. Wine is at its most vulnerable in fermentation.

However, it may so happen that the wine ferments in tanks and then matures in oak. Still considered the finest wood for wine.

Maturation of wine in wood is a different story. Ideally you are putting the wine to sleep for a while.

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