Wine flavor can depend on barrels

The main purpose of the wine barrel is to add the vanilla and oak flavors that many consumers enjoy.

French oak is widely accepted as the best barrel to use in winemaking because of its long history with the process, the quality of the oak used and the techniques utilized by the French coopers in constructing the barrels. French oak barrels are popular because they are known to provide the most flavors.

Unfortunately French wine barrels are becoming very expensive. Taransaud, a noted barrel producer, is offering their best barrel for more than $1,400. Most French barrels are in the $800 price range. American barrels are half that cost. The typical barrel holds only 59 gallons or 25 cases of wine. Now you know why red wine costs more than most whites.