14.2 The Role of Wood in Maturation Flashcards

1
Q

Why do newly-made wood vessels have a significant influence on the wine?

A
  1. slow exposure to oxygen (old + new wood) 2. contain various extractable compounds, including tannins and many aroma compounds
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2
Q

What happens to the various extractable compounds from in new wood after each time the vessel is used?

A

the amount of extraction decreases because fewer extractable compounds remain

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3
Q

During the first year of use, approximately what percentage of new oak flavors does a vessel use?

A

50%

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4
Q

On what usage round does an oak vessel lose its effects?

A

On the 4th usage

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5
Q

With what types of wines might new oak flavors be too dominant or clash?

A

aromatic grape varieties

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6
Q

Is it typical to age a wine 100% in new oak?

A

No, it is typically as a proportion of the blend with wine that has been stored in pre-used barrels

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7
Q

What are 4 factors that determine the level and type of compounds extracted from wood vessels?

A
  1. vessel age 2. vessel size 3. type of wood 4. production of the vessel
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8
Q

What are barriques?

A
  • small vessels (225 l)
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9
Q

What effect does size of vessel have on the wine?

A

The smaller the vessel, the greater extraction fromt he wood and greater exposure to oxygen

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10
Q

What are foudres?

A
  • large vessels
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11
Q

What is the most common type of wood used for winery vessels?

A

Oak

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12
Q

What are the main benefits of using oak as a winery vessel?

A
  • can easily be shaped into a barrel - makes containers that are watertight - positive effects on aroma/flavour - positive effects on structure
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13
Q

Where are most winery oak vessels made?

A
  • European oak (typically French, also Hungarian, Russian, Slavonian) - American oak
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14
Q

What is vanillin?

A
  • contributes aromas of vanilla - key part of the aroma/flavour in oaked wines - found in both European and American oak
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15
Q

What is the key difference between European oak and American oak?

A

American oak - contains higher levels of lactones (aromas of coconut) - tends to impart a greater intensity of aromas/flavours European oak - said to be subtler - tends to impart more tannin.

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16
Q

Which are typically more expensive: European or American oak? Why?

A

European oak is more expensive - European oak must be split to create staves, grows significantly slower - American oak can be sawn (much more can be made), grows significantly quicker

17
Q

What is the typical cost of an American oak barrel?

A

€300–€600

18
Q

What is the typical cost of a French oak barrel?

A

€600–€1200

19
Q

What effect does the tightness of the grain have on the resulting wine?

A

Wood with a tight grain slows down the extraction of compounds compared with coarser grained wood, and can alter what particular compounds are most extracted

20
Q

How does a tree end up with a more tightly-grained wood?

A

the result of slower growth of the tree means more tightly-grained wood

21
Q

Where do trees with the tightest grains tend to come from?

A

Continental climates - Russia, Hungary

22
Q

Why is Hungarian oak gaining popularity in New York State?

A
  • tightly-grained wood - allows very gradual extraction of oak aroma compounds and tannins for red wines (many of which are medium in alcohol, body, tannins and flavour intensity) - resulting wines are not dominated by oak-derived characteristics
23
Q

What other types of wood are used in winemaking?

A
  • chestnut - cherry - acacia
24
Q

What must be done to the wood before it’s used? How long does this take?

A
  • must be seasoned - typically outdoors - lasts 2-3 years
25
Q

What effects does seasoning the wood have on the wine?

A
  • lowers humidity levels in the wood - reduces bitter flavours - increases some aroma compounds (e.g. those that give flavours of cloves)
26
Q

How are the barrels formed?

A

involves heating the staves so that they can be bent into shape

27
Q

How is heat used and what is the effect on the barrel?

A
  • heat staves to bend them into shape - transforms the tannins and aroma compounds in the oak
28
Q

What is toasting?

A
  • temperature and length of heat exposure determine the level of toasting
29
Q

What are the three categories of toasting?

A

light-, medium- or heavy-toasted

30
Q

What is the effect of more toasting on the wine?

A

contributes notes of spice, caramel, roasted nuts, char and smoke

31
Q

For what types of wines is barrel maturation used? Why?

A
  • mid-priced, premium or super-premium - very expensive
32
Q

Why is barrel maturation so expensive?

A
  • barrels are expensive - small barrels (barriques) do not hold much liquid so many are required - monitoring the wine in each separate barrel and performing any winemaking operations is labour intensive - spoilage microbes such as Brettanomyces like to live in wood and therefore meticulous cleaning and sanitation is also needed - slow process, and therefore it is not uncommon to store the wine for 1–2 years or even longer
33
Q

What alternatives to barrel maturation might producers of inexpensive and mid-priced wines choose when oak flavors are desired?

A
  • oak chips: generally placed in a permeable sack, which is left to soak in the wine - oak staves: an be attached to the inside of the stainless steel or concrete vessel, or they can float in the wine
34
Q

What are the benefits of oak chips and staves?

A
  • significantly cheaper - can choose level of toasting and seasoning - can choose wood species - less labour intensive - large surface area: quick to have an effect