Bigger isn’t always better!
Oak barrels are often used in the fermentation and maturation stages of red wine making, and for certain white wine varieties as well. (Chardonnay and white Rhone varieties for example). The size of the barrel, as well as the type of oak used affects the wine’s color, texture, flavor and tannin profile.
More on size: The bigger the barrel is, the more wine fits into it. This means there’s a smaller the ratio of oak to wine, the level of flavor imparted into the wine is therefore slower and of a lower intensity. The opposite is true of smaller barrels, so if you’re like me and you’re looking for the biggest, most textural, oily and buttery Chardonnay out there, hearing that the wine has been aged in Barriques is music to your ears!
Click here for a great article on ageing wines in barrel, by a wine producer in Israel.