Wine Aged In Concrete

The aromas and flavors of a wine stored in a barrica will show the impact of oak and toast.

Wine aged in concrete.

Seek out wines aged in concrete tanks and discover winemaking s happy medium. But in recent years influential wineries across the state have been experimenting with concrete. As concrete raised wines wines fermented and or aged in concrete tanks begin to hit the market early experiments are yielding splendid results. When it comes to the fermentation process wine has been treated the same way for years.

How to drink based on your favorite book. The difference between a wine aged in new oak versus one stored in concrete is enormous he said. Oak and stainless steel. The type of vessel tank container that the wine is aged in at the winery can have a crucial influence over its character.

For about as long as wine has been made in washington there have been two predominent vessels for fermentation and aging. The concrete tank came about one hundred years ago and changed the wine industry significantly. Aging changes wine but does not categorically improve it or worsen it. Concrete aged wine has a little more pep in its step says pax mahle owner and winemaker at pax mahle wines.

The surface of this vessel added minerality a chalky character and richness to the wine and by allowing the red wine to stay warmer in tanks a better tannin extraction at the end of fermentation. As with barrels concrete tanks come in various shapes and sizes from egg. For instance also in napa valley the vice a small batch luxury producer wines uses concrete eggs for 50 of its sauvignon blanc providing a balancing effect to the other half aged in oak. Concrete has long been used to ferment and age wine in the old world but has recently gained popularity in the u s.

Fruitiness deteriorates rapidly decreasing markedly after only 6 months in the. There is a widespread misconception that wine always improves with age or that wine improves with extended aging or that aging potential is an indicator of good wine. Some authorities state that more wine is consumed too old than too young.