The History of Aging Wine (in barrels)
Thursday, April 6th, 2023Wine has been enjoyed for thousands of years. The history of wine production and consumption is a fascinating one, and includes many innovations and advancements in the techniques used to produce, store, and age wine. One such innovation was the use of wooden barrels for aging and storing wine, a technique that is still widely used today. In this article, we will explore the history of wine aging in wooden barrels, looking at its origins, development, and evolution over time.
The exact origins of the practice of aging wine in wooden barrels are still a matter of debate among historians and wine experts. Some scholars believe that the practice began in ancient Persia, where wine was aged in clay jars called qvevris. Others argue that the Romans were the first to use wooden barrels for aging and storing wine. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder, writing in the 1st century AD, noted that the Romans used wooden barrels to store and age their wines, and that the oak imparted a pleasant flavor and aroma to the wine. Regardless of its origins, the use of wooden barrels for wine aging spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, and has been an important part of winemaking ever since.
One of the earliest and most famous examples of the use of wooden barrels for wine aging is the sherry produced in the Jerez region of Spain. Sherry, a fortified wine made from Palomino grapes, is aged in barrels that are arranged in a special system called a solera. The solera system involves stacking barrels of different ages on top of one another, with the oldest wine at the bottom and the youngest wine at the top. As new wine is added to the top barrel, a portion of the older wine is withdrawn from the bottom barrel, resulting in a consistent and complex blend of wines of different ages.
The use of wooden barrels for wine aging became increasingly widespread in Europe during the Renaissance. The wealthy aristocrats of Europe began to appreciate the complex and subtle flavors that could be achieved by aging wine in oak barrels, and they commissioned artisans to create elaborate and ornate barrels for their wine cellars. Many of these barrels were decorated with intricate carvings and painted with scenes from classical mythology. The famous Medoc wine region in Bordeaux, France, began using oak barrels for wine aging in the 17th century. The use of oak barrels allowed the wine to mature slowly, resulting in a more complex and refined flavor profile.
One of the key reasons why oak barrels are so effective for wine aging is that they allow a small amount of oxygen to interact with the wine. This interaction between the wine and the oxygen results in a range of chemical reactions that help to soften the tannins and acids in the wine, resulting in a smoother and more balanced flavor profile. The oak also imparts a range of flavors and aromas to the wine, including vanilla, spice, and toast.
The use of wooden barrels for wine aging continued to evolve and develop throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In France, the oak forests of the Limousin region became famous for producing the high-quality oak needed for wine barrels. French winemakers developed a system of classification for their barrels, with the most prized barrels being those made from “fine-grain” oak that had been aged for several years. These barrels were used to age the finest wines, and were highly sought-after by wine connoisseurs around the world. In contrast American Oak tends to be younger and not as “fine-grain”, so it typically imparts a rougher texture to the wine, so it is not a widely used for high-end wine.
In the 20th century, the use of wooden barrels for wine aging faced new challenges. The rise of industrial winemaking techniques, combined with the increasing demand for wine around the world, led to a shortage of high-quality oak barrels. To address this issue, winemakers began experimenting with alternative methods of wine aging such as stainless and concrete.
