WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2019

THE USE OF WHISKY BARRELS FOR WINE MATURATION

CHARL THERON: Private consultant KEYWORDS: Barrel maturation, whisky barrels. JUNE 2019

Wooden barrels in different forms and sizes are used for a variety of beverages like wine, beer, brandy, Cognac and whisk(e)y. It is also used for food like pickled products and balsamic vinegar. Depending on the nature and composition of the products, the influence of the wood will differ. Many of these characteristics are not compatible with each other, but can in some cases be complementary. Used sherry barrels, for example, have for many years been used by whisk(e)y producers to lend a specific contribution to their products. The opposite is happening now, where wine cellars are using used whisk(e)y barrels for wine maturation. Although the USA and Ireland use the designation whiskey, the term whisky is used by other countries. For the aim of this article the latter designation will be used. The staves of traditional French wine barrels are wide and have a fine grain. Their toasting lasts over a long period at a moderate

temperature. In whisky barrels the staves are however thinner and have a coarse grain. The timber is also not seasoned and air or kiln dried. Its toasting can rather be described as charring, because it is done over a short period at a high temperature. The well-known Jacob’s Creek wines of the prominent international group, Pernod Ricard, established a new trademark, “Double Barrel” on the Australian and global market. It was initiated after research by their wine and spirits divisions. It comprises the use of used whisky barrels together with traditional wine barrels for wine fermentation and maturation. The Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz and Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon were both launched in 2014. It was followed by the launch of the Double Barrel Chardonnay in 2018. The research was driven by the impact of different wood types and barrels on the profile of different cultivars.

PHOTO. The toasting level of wine and whisky barrels differs.