Barrel session Flashcards
About how many cooperages are there in France
About 80
How many cooperages are there in Burgundy?
25
For Tremeaux what’s the production export % and its biggest international markets
80% exported
Biggest markets: US, South Africa, Australia
For Tremeaux what are his biggest national French markets?
Bordeaux Burgundy Charente
What is Tremeaux’s annual production
7 000 barrels
100% French oak from all over France, blend of all forests.
What method of stacking is Tremeaux using in seasoning its wood?
Chimney stacking method (unique) to season naturally and evenly (softer and consistency)
What’s the relation between seasoning length and wood flavor?
Longer seasoning —> less wood flavor
What’s the relationship between barrel seasoning and tannins?
Longer seasoning —> less tannins
What is seasoning? How long does it typically last?
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).
What’s the name of the fungus that is favorable to wood stave seasoning?
Mycellium
What’s the size of a Burgundy barrel in liters?
How many staves to make 1?
228 liters
32 to 38 staves needed for a barrel.
What’s the size of a Bordeaux barrel in liters?
225 liters
How many barrels can 1 cubic meter of trees produce?
12 barrels
On average how many barrels can we make out of a mature tree?
60 - 72 barrels per mature tree
As there are 5-6 m3 of wood in a tree
On average what percentage of the cost of a finished barrel is attributed to raw material (wood) only?
2/3
What are the other costs in barrel making besides wood?
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…
How long is Pre-heating and Bending?
Are they manual processes?
30 minutes for pre-heating and 6-8 minutes for bending
Both mechanical processes
What impacts toasting?
Time, temperature used, size of toasting pot, whether you lift the barrel up or not
Are the toasting names proper to each cooper or are they universal?
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.
Are toasts for red and white winemaking barrels the same?
Yes
What’s the relationship between toasting temperature and tannins?
Higher temperature —> less tannins
What does toasting impact in the wood?
. 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
What are chestnut hoops on certain Burgundy barrel important for?
To be able to roll the barrel without compromising its structure.
They protects from pests as well (they’ll eat the hoops first)
What barrel profile do Chassagne and Meursault/Puligny typically go for?
Chassagne: looking for more toast impact
Meursault/Puligny: lighter profile typically
Decision made depending on vintage
Can you blend two or more toast combination in a single barrel?
Yes
What’s the typical toasting level requested in Bordeaux and Burgundy?
Bordeaux needs lighter toasting.
Bourgogne uses 15% new oak only. “You don’t feel anything so you can use higher toasting levels.”
Can you add a door to your barrel?
Yes, anything you want even on smaller formats
How much cheaper is European oak over French oak?
15% less expensive
