What is French cooperage?
French Cooperages is the exclusive distributor for three extraordinary artisan French coopers,Tonnellerie Morlier, Tonnellerie Chassin, and Tonnellerie De Champagne Ardenne. Located in Portland Oregon, we cater to the fast growing wine regions of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.
How much do oak wine barrels cost?
An oak barrel can range in price from $900 all the way up to $2,000 depending on if it is made from American Oak or French Oak. An oak barrel will only continue to give your wine that oak flavor for, at most, 8 fills. Over the course of 30 years you can spend, at least, $4,500 replacing that barrel.
What is French oak barrel?
The first difference is pretty obvious: French barrels are made from oak trees grown in France, and American barrels are made from oak trees grown in the United States.
What is cooperage in winemaking?
“Containers a winery uses for storing wine, usually barrels or wooden cask, though the term cooperage can also apply to concrete or stainless steel vessels”
What is Allier oak?
The Allier forest, located between Nevers and Limousin, has a grove of tighter grained oaks. Wine makers may not use these barrels at times because they tend to produce a spicier flavor and aroma which can end up ruining their wine.
Where do French oak barrels come from?
Most of the French oak for barrels comes from one of five forests, some of which were originally planted during Napoleonic times for shipbuilding. The main forests, mostly located in central France, are Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Tronçais and Vosges, and each is considered to have distinctive characteristics.
How many staves are in a wine barrel?
Every barrel has 32 staves carefully arranged in a specific pattern.
What type of oak trees are in France?
English & Sessile Oak Both species grow in the six main French forests known for oak: Limousin, Vosges, Nevers, Bertranges, Allier, and Tronçais (a sub-section of Allier).
Where does French oak come from?
central France
Most of the French oak for barrels comes from one of five forests, some of which were originally planted during Napoleonic times for shipbuilding. The main forests, mostly located in central France, are Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Tronçais and Vosges, and each is considered to have distinctive characteristics.
Is French oak white or red?
To start off, both American oak and French oak are species of white oak. Red oak is never used for winemaking because it is too porous. While there are many different types of white oak, three are most used for wine cooperage. These are Quercus Alba, Quercus Petraea (also known as sissile oak) and Quercus Robur.
What should I age in my oak barrel?
You can age pretty much anything in an oak barrel Depending on what you want your end result to be, the rules may be different for each type of alcohol, but you can throw almost anything in an oak barrel and let science do its work, including whiskey, rum, brandy, tequila, sherry, port, dry wines, beer, and lots more.
How do you clean an oak barrel?
To clean your oak barrel, follow these simple steps.
- Fill the barrel with a solution of cleaning tablets and warm water.
- Leave to soak for 24 hours.
- Empty the barrel and rinse through 3 times.
- Fill the barrel with a solution of neutralising acid and warm water.
- Leave to soak for 15 minutes.
What is difference between French oak and American oak?
French oak (particularly Quercus Petraea) is much tighter grained and less dense than the American Quercus Alba. As such French oak imparts more subtle flavors and firmer, but silkier tannins. American oak being more dense, can be sawn instead of hand-split. This involves less labor and expense.
Are there any alternatives to French oak barrels?
French oak barrel alternatives (French oak Tannin, Chips, Dominoes, Barrel Inserts and Tank Staves) We currently carry oak products in volume ranges 225L to 60HL from Bel Air, Maury, Billon, Canadell, DAMY, European Coopers Hungary, Schneckenleitner and Master Coopers.
What kind of oak is used to age Cognac?
Quercus robur, also known as Limousin oak, has a long history of aging Cognac in France, where it has been a traditional choice for centuries. American oak is a traditional choice for whiskey barrels.
What kind of oak is used in whiskey barrels?
However, French oak is growing in popularity for use in spirits as well. Quercus robur, also known as Limousin oak, has a long history of aging Cognac in France, where it has been a traditional choice for centuries. American oak is a traditional choice for whiskey barrels.
Why choose François Frères cooperage?
Long-established in the heart of Burgundy, and with a highly regarded international reputation, the François Frères Cooperage combines extensive experience with high-precision technical ability in the best tradition of artisan coopers.