What does wood contribute to wine?

When talking about the aging of a wine, one of the most important aspects to take into account is what the wood contributes to the wine. The barrels are not only a container for storage, but, thanks to its passage through them, the wine acquires new layers in its personality. Thanks to the micro-oxygenation achieved through the pores of the wood, the wine evolves, acquiring new aromas and qualifying its flavor.

The wood with which the barrels are commonly made comes from oak, since it is the one that best respects the organoleptic qualities of the wine. The American oak makes the wine more aromatic, but with a lower tannic contribution, since it is quite porous. The grain of French oak wood, on the other hand, is finer and the amount of air provided is less, so the nuances it provides are more subtle and delicate.

Depending on the degree of toasting , the wine will acquire some aromas and characteristics or others. Toasting is a process in the elaboration of the barrels that makes the staves flexible enough to bend and give them the shape of the final barrel. A barrel with less toasted staves will provide more immature nuances, such as the classic wood or nutty aroma, while with a strong toast, smoky aromas will be appreciated.

The size of the barrel also influences the style of the wine, being the 225-liter Bordeaux mixture that we use to make Rioja wine at Bodegas Murillo Viteri.

What does wood contribute to wine?

Wood is a living material, which transmits its qualities to the wine, enhancing its characteristics and providing different organoleptic nuances.

Flavor

The flavor that the wood brings to the wine will depend on the time it is being aged in the barrel. After six months we can begin to appreciate flavors of vanilla or caramel. In addition, barrel aging will add body and structure to the wine.

Colour

In both the white and the red, the barrel increases the color of the wine. This is because the tannins in the barrel react with the anthocyins in the wine, which are responsible for providing the color to the wine.

Odor

The aromas that the wood brings to the wine will also depend on the type of wood and the aging time. In addition to perceiving the characteristic oak aroma, we will find aromas of vanilla, liquorice or anise, and depending on the degree of toasting it has, we will also find aromas of coffee, chocolate or smoked.

Durability

The barrel prolongs the life of the wine, because the wood provides tannins that help with aging.

In the case of Bodegas Murillo Viteri, we invite you to taste our aged red wines, such as Murillo Viteri Reserva or our Crianza Aranzubia , where you can appreciate a balance between wood and fruit. Have you tried them yet? Do you appreciate the tertiary aromas from oak in aged wines?

Bodegas Murillo Viteri