Oak barrels store and age wine.
Coopers use only a few types of oak to make barrels. People mostly use oak barrels to store and age wine, but other uses include catching rain and storing water. Using oak barrels to ship and store materials was common up until the creation of pallets and containers. In the United States, barrel makers use white oak, but French oak is more desirable when wine making is involved.
French Oak Barrels
French oak comes from a tree called Sessile oak. The government carefully manages and monitors these forests. The 100-year-old forests that are home to this oak are Limousin, Troncais, Nevers, Alliers and Vosges. Each region harvests a type of oak that has characteristics from that particular area. Barrels made from French oak run about $500 each.
Hungarian Oak Barrels
Two oak species, Quercus robur and Quercus petraea from Hungarian forests, serve in barrel making. The shape of Hungarian oak barrels is slightly different from American or French oak barrels. It is rounder and shorter than the other barrels. The wood used for Hungarian oak barrels is at least 100 years old and air-dried for three years prior to being crafted into barrels. These barrels offer characteristics close to the French oak but are cheaper in price, running around $300 a barrel.
American Oak Barrels
American white oak grows in Virginia, Missouri, Kentucky, Oregon and Ohio. Harvesters select the oak and stored it to air-dry for an entire year so it becomes fully seasoned. American oak barrels are cheaper, averaging $200 to $400 per barrel. They have a wider grain and lower wood tannins. They have been known to have a greater influence on the wine flavor and aroma.
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