July 11, 2024
Barrel Work & Aging Wine
The process of maturing wine in barrels is a time-honored tradition. The practice of barrel aging wine is centuries old. Further, it plays a crucial role in the development of a wine's character, flavor, and aroma. The process, known as aging or barrel aging, involves winemakers storing wine in wooden barrels for a period ranging from a few months to several years. The choice of wood, the size of the barrel, and the aging environment all contribute significantly to the final product. This practice gives the barrel aged wine a complexity and depth that is hard to achieve through any other means.
Why Oak?
Oak barrels are the most commonly used for wine maturation because they uniquely enhance wine without overpowering its natural flavors. As the wine matures, oak barrels slowly intake oxygen, contributing to the wine's development through micro-oxygenation. This process helps soften the wine's tannins, making the wine smoother and more palatable.
Additionally, as wine interacts with oak, it gains subtle flavors like vanilla, spice, and toast. Winemakers highly seek these undertones in the final product. To achieve the desired effect, winemakers consider the type of oak, the wood grain, and the toasting level of the barrel. At RFV, we use American and French oak. Winemakers apply varying degrees of heat to a barrel over a specific amount of time to achieve toasting.
Outside the Oak
The environment where we store the barrels also plays a pivotal role in the process. We carefully control temperature and humidity in our production area to ensure optimal conditions for the wine. Too much variation in temperature can speed up the aging process and potentially spoil the wine, while too little humidity can lead to evaporation and oxidation, altering the wine's quality and volume.
The type of wine and our vision for it determine the duration of barrel aging. While some wines, like Frontenac Blanc Reserve, benefit from a shorter period in barrels, we allow others, such as Vintner’s Reserve, to mature for years, developing more complex and nuanced flavors over time. During this time, we monitor the wine's chemistry to ensure its continued viability. We test samples from different barrels for acidity and sulfate levels at regular intervals.
The process of maturing wine in barrels is a delicate balance of art and science, requiring meticulous attention to detail. Our winemaker has a deep understanding of the interplay between the wine, the wood, and the environment. It is a meticulous process to monitor and manage; our barrel aged wines are transferred to different vessels up to 8 times before bottling. Barrel work is a testament to skill and patience, culminating in exquisite wines that captivate the senses and stand the test of time.
We look forward to showcasing some of our barrel matured wines on your next visit. Try a flight with these fine wines: Marquette, Frontenac Blanc Reserve, Melodia, Harmony, Vintner's Reserve, and Rolling Red.
