Are white wines Barrel Aged?

The short answer is yes, most wines are aged in barrels. However, some may not be the traditional oak ones you picture in your head. Many white wines are aged in stainless steel and there are even other types of barrels you probably have never heard of.

Is white wine aged in oak barrels?

White Bordeaux wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, or a combination of both may see some time in oak. White wines from Rioja in Spain are oak-aged, usually in American oak. Chablis wines will often spend some time in oak to increase the texture and impart non-fruit flavors to the wine.

What wines are aged in barrels?

Wines aged in spirit barrels have become increasingly popular. From Cabernet Sauvignon to Petite Sirah, the subtle influences of the barrels create intense, full-bodied wines with typical whiskey flavors of vanilla, spice, smoke and high tannins.

What barrels are used for white wine?

Types of Oak Wine Barrels for Chardonnay

Wood wine barrels are most often made from oak, and the two most common oak origins are French and American. French (quercus alba) and American (quercus robur) oak are different species, so they impart different flavors.

Is there aged white wine?

In general, white wines will not age as long as reds. Since they contain little to no tannin, they oxidize more quickly. In general, expect high-quality, ageable white wines to age for five to 15 years.

Oak Barrels and Wine: Why Use Them, and How They Affect Wine, How Much They Cost, and more!

Why do you not age white wine?

White wines typically don't age as long as red wines because they're not fermented on their grape skins. (Unless they are orange wines!) The simple difference between winemaking methods reduces the amount of tannin in the wine, and thus, reduces white wine aging ranges.

Can Sauvignon Blanc be aged?

The key to producing age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc is “largely the influence of climate and soils,” winemaker Ivan Sutherland says. Two key factors for stabilizing white wines so they can age are high acidity and barrel fermentation and maturation.

Are most white wines oaked?

Oak can enhance the color of the wine, soften and round out flavors, and impart its own unique characteristics. Almost all red wines and many white wines spend time in oak barrels before being bottled, and that's just because winemakers have found they taste better that way.

Are all Chardonnay wines oaked?

American Chardonnays are almost always oaked, which is why they're known for that buttery creaminess, and European Chardonnays are steel-aged and tend towards those bright apple and citrus flavors.

Is Sauvignon Blanc aged in oak?

Oaky Blanc? Sauvignon Blanc is rarely oak aged, as winemakers aim to keep the “Green” zestiness of the wine intact. However, some winemakers in the Bordeaux region (and a few in America and Australia) are blending with Semillon to gain enough body in the wine to oak it.

Is Pinot Grigio aged in oak?

As with other crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, Pinot Grigio is almost always aged in stainless steel barrels to keep those fresh, fruity notes.

How long is chardonnay aged in oak?

The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and aging in these barrels for 15 months.

Are all wines aged in bourbon barrels?

Every major American wine brand has a line aged in spirits barrels. Gallo entered the sector with Apothic Inferno in 2016. Constellation released a bourbon-barrel-aged Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon the same year, and launched Cooper & Thief, a dedicated spirits-barrel-aged brand, in March 2017.

Is Chardonnay aged in oak?

The difference between oaked and unoaked chardonnay is that oaked chardonnay is aged in new oak barrels, while unoaked is not. When chardonnay spends time in oak barrels instead of steel or plastic tanks, the oak imparts flavors into the wine that resemble sweet vanilla, caramel, and butter.

How do you know if wine is unoaked?

When reading tasting notes, look for descriptors such as "crisp," "refreshing" or "vibrant" to suggest unoaked Chardonnays, while oaked wines might be described with "toast" or "vanilla."

What wines are unoaked?

An unoaked wine will be lighter-bodied, with more fresh fruit flavors. A wine that doesn't see the inside of a barrel (or barrel alternatives) is considered “unoaked.” Most unoaked wines are white wines, and unfortunately there's no universal way to identify them.

Is unoaked chardonnay better than oaked?

Unoaked Chardonnay goes well with delicate fish, seafood dishes, and really just about anything. But, if you have a heavily oak influenced Chardonnay then you risk overwhelming the delicate flavors found in delicate dishes. Unoaked Chardonnay also pairs well with cheeses, specifically Alpine-style.

Is unoaked chardonnay better?

If you're a fan of crisp, lean, and fruity white wines, then you're sure to love an unoaked Chardonnay! While oaked Chardonnay is known for its buttery mouthfeel and vanilla flavor, unoaked Chardonnay has an irresistible crisp texture and refreshing mouthfeel.

Is Yellow Tail Chardonnay unoaked?

Yes, even Yellow Tail, Australia's extremely successful budget brand, has an unoaked chardonnay. It refers to the wine as “tree-free” and the label proclaims “No Oak No Joke.” According to the wine's importer, W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Yellow Tail is the No.

What kind of barrels is Chardonnay aged in?

Oak Source and Species

Essentially all of the barrels used for Chardonnay are made from either European oak, which includes French oak or American oak. Insofar as cooperage is concerned, all European oak consists of two closely related species, Quercus robur and Quercus petraea.

Is 20 year old Chardonnay still good?

Most wines, red or white, are made to drink well upon release and are best enjoyed while still young and fresh, so I would agree with your “five years or less” assessment. But some of the best Chardonnays in the world (white Burgundy and others) can age for a decade or more.

Can you age Pinot Grigio?

White wines that don't age very well include Pinot Grigio, the vast majority of Rosé wine, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Like most wines on the market, these wines are usually designed to be consumed within a couple of years after the grapes have been harvested, and the flavours and aromas won't improve with age.

Can you drink 10 year old Sauvignon Blanc?

You sure can! But I can't predict whether you'll enjoy it or not. I get a lot of these “Is it safe to drink?” questions, and I have good news for everyone: A wine may become unpleasant to drink, but it's never going to be harmful to consume.

Can you drink 20 year old white wine?

White wine: 1–2 years past the printed expiration date. Red wine: 2–3 years past the printed expiration date. Cooking wine: 3–5 years past the printed expiration date. Fine wine: 10–20 years, stored properly in a wine cellar.

How long can white wine age?

Most white wines should be consumed within two to three years of bottling. Exceptions to this rule are full-bodied wines like chardonnay (three-five years) or roussane (optimal between three to seven years). However, fine white wines from Burgundy (French Chardonnays) are best enjoyed at 10-15 years of age.