Barrel session

Question 1

About how many cooperages are there in France

Answer 1

About 80

Question 2

How many cooperages are there in Burgundy?

Answer 2

25

Question 3

For Tremeaux what’s the production export % and its biggest international markets

Answer 3

80% exported

Biggest markets: US, South Africa, Australia

Question 4

For Tremeaux what are his biggest national French markets?

Answer 4

Bordeaux Burgundy Charente

Question 5

What is Tremeaux’s annual production

Answer 5

7 000 barrels

100% French oak from all over France, blend of all forests.

Question 6

What method of stacking is Tremeaux using in seasoning its wood?

Answer 6

Chimney stacking method (unique) to season naturally and evenly (softer and consistency)

Question 7

What’s the relation between seasoning length and wood flavor?

Answer 7

Longer seasoning —> less wood flavor

Question 8

What’s the relationship between barrel seasoning and tannins?

Answer 8

Longer seasoning —> less tannins

Question 9

What is seasoning? How long does it typically last?

Answer 9

Leaving wood staves outdoor with optimal airflow and exposure to elements (sun, rain, humidity).

Google says it lasts 18 to 60 months.

Tremeaux mentioned 2 years, 2 seasons (2.5 years, 30 months).

Question 10

What’s the name of the fungus that is favorable to wood stave seasoning?

Answer 10

Mycellium

Question 11

What’s the size of a Burgundy barrel in liters?

How many staves to make 1?

Answer 11

228 liters

32 to 38 staves needed for a barrel.

Question 12

What’s the size of a Bordeaux barrel in liters?

Answer 12

225 liters

Question 13

How many barrels can 1 cubic meter of trees produce?

Answer 13

12 barrels

Question 14

On average how many barrels can we make out of a mature tree?

Answer 14

60 - 72 barrels per mature tree

As there are 5-6 m3 of wood in a tree

Question 15

On average what percentage of the cost of a finished barrel is attributed to raw material (wood) only?

Answer 15

2/3

Question 16

What are the other costs in barrel making besides wood?

Answer 16

Labour (roughly 20%, he said 80 euros)

Overheads (rent electricity water etc, less than 10%, he said 25-35 euros)

The % do not add up perfectly…

Question 17

How long is Pre-heating and Bending?

Are they manual processes?

Answer 17

30 minutes for pre-heating and 6-8 minutes for bending

Both mechanical processes

Question 18

What impacts toasting?

Answer 18

Time, temperature used, size of toasting pot, whether you lift the barrel up or not

Question 19

Are the toasting names proper to each cooper or are they universal?

Answer 19

The toasting names/levels are proper to each cooper; though some names tend to be widely accepted (like légère longue LL)

Each cooper has its own recipe.

Question 20

Are toasts for red and white winemaking barrels the same?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

What’s the relationship between toasting temperature and tannins?

Answer 21

Higher temperature —> less tannins

Question 22

What does toasting impact in the wood?

Answer 22

. Aromatic volume and freshness (highlights certain notes such as citrus, blossom, red fruits, wet stones/flint)

. Tannin smoothness/structure

. Mouthfeel/weight on palate

. Length and complexity on palate

Question 23

What are chestnut hoops on certain Burgundy barrel important for?

Answer 23

To be able to roll the barrel without compromising its structure.

They protects from pests as well (they’ll eat the hoops first)

Question 24

What barrel profile do Chassagne and Meursault/Puligny typically go for?

Answer 24

Chassagne: looking for more toast impact

Meursault/Puligny: lighter profile typically

Decision made depending on vintage

Question 25

Can you blend two or more toast combination in a single barrel?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

What’s the typical toasting level requested in Bordeaux and Burgundy?

Answer 26

Bordeaux needs lighter toasting.

Bourgogne uses 15% new oak only. “You don’t feel anything so you can use higher toasting levels.”

Question 27

Can you add a door to your barrel?

Answer 27

Yes, anything you want even on smaller formats

Question 28

How much cheaper is European oak over French oak?

Answer 28

15% less expensive