Originally published Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Wine Q & A
What is the role oak plays in making wine?
Q: Winemakers often talk about using American oak, French oak, new oak, neutral oak, 1-year old barrels, etc. What's the difference, and...
Q: Winemakers often talk about using American oak, French oak, new oak, neutral oak, 1-year old barrels, etc. What's the difference, and why does it matter?
A: Wines made from certain grapes — chardonnay, semillon, the Bordeaux reds and so on — gain complexity and add layers of flavor when aged in new oak barrels. However, the type of barrel and the time in barrel can vary infinitely.
Oak may be sourced from various forests in Europe and America, and once harvested, may be air-dried or kiln-dried, aged for different lengths of time and then toasted to different degrees. Winemakers love to play with the wide range of flavors available to them, which they often compare to a chef's spice rack. This is all well and good, but the final results, as always, depend upon the skill of the artist.
Neutral oak is wood that has been used for more than two or three years. After that the barrel has been drained of flavors and is simply an aerobic medium for wine fermentation and storage. Apart from barrels, there are many types of oak flavoring available to wineries that do not wish to pay the $1,000 or so that good new barrels will cost. Oak staves, chips, powders, etc., can add certain flavors (especially vanilla) to cheap wines, but nothing comes close to the complexity gained by aging fine wine in great barrels.
American oak is generally spicy, sometimes offering pickled notes, while French oak is toasty and more subtle.
Paul Gregutt answers questions weekly in the Wine section.
He can be reached by e-mail at wine@seattletimes.com.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
How to choose the perfect pear
Restaurant review: Prelude offers a meal that will get patrons to the opera and ballet on time
Dining Deals: Thai joint more than meets the eye
Chefs offer holiday recipes and preparation tips
Happy Hour: Thai Fusion brings street food to the bar

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
631 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
189 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
162 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
128 - ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
125 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
115 - Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying
103 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
94
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks





