Alternative oak wood products have been used in cellars since the 1980’s. The cost saving in comparison with new wood barrels is the main reason for its use. If barrels and alternative wood products are, however, objectively compared, the common use of wood as raw...
Some of the most expensive wines in the world are made from Pinot noir. These wines, however, differ considerably and are usually light in colour with subtle flavours. Pinot noir is also very sensitive for different vine diseases and susceptible to genetic mutations....
We all get advice from time to time from colleagues, friends and relatives. Even our children often have something to say about what we should do or not do! But how do we know when to consider someone as a mentor? Pondering this question, it is wise to look at the...
Wine is a product that is consumed worldwide and, except for certain countries, also produced everywhere. Although the most wine is usually drunk in the country of production, consumer and industry demand exist to export wine to different countries. As a result of...
The natural characteristics of the bark of the cork oak, Quercus suber, for example its elasticity and neutrality, make it eminently suitable as raw material for bottle closures. The romantics, associated with the sound when a cork is pulled also contribute to the...
The use of wood is an integral part of winemaking, but the implications of using this natural material extend beyond the cellar. By Bernard Mocke The commercialisation of oak barrels started when the Roman armies and traders of old replaced clay amphorae with...
For a long time wood has not been the only material used for barrels, but it has become an integral part of winemaking. The role of wood changed from a container material to a complementary contributor to the flavour and taste of wine. Different types of wood, the...
Although planned maintenance can lengthen the lifespan of cellar equipment considerably, the capital expenditure planning of cellars still remains one of the most important financial management aspects of wine cellars. Even if maintenance can postpone capital...
When it comes to water saving, one of the most underestimated areas is water-cooled chillers. The cooling towers connected to the chillers consume vast amounts of water. It is a common misconception that cooling towers “recycle” the water – the fact is the water is...
The use of thermovinification to prevent the negative results of rotten or unripe red grapes has also been applied in South Africa since the seventies. The primary aim was to shorten the period of skin maceration and prevent potential browning as result of rotten...
The perception of the ordinary wine consumer and winemakers differs considerably with regard to blends. While the consumer often sees it as wines that are made from different varietal wines and a specific cultivar designation cannot be attributed to it, practical wine...
Different factors play a very important role in the character that barrels impart to wine. Irrespective of the wine as such, the wood type, species, grain, origin of the wood and different wood treatments like the drying and toasting method or level play decisive...
