Barrels |
Tanks |
Alternatives
Casks and Tanks
In the heart of the Merpins cooperage in Cognac, there is a giant workshop where large barrels (“foudres”), tanks and casks ranging from 10 to 1,200 hectolitres are made and assembled.
This savoir faire is true craftsmanship and requires specific woodworking skills.
The foundation is the same as for barrels: the best Haute Futaie French oak, fire
bent staves ensuring stability, meticulous preparation before gentle, prolonged toasting.
Vinification Benefits
Perfectly controlled temperature during fermentation.
Reductive aromas prevented with micro-oxygenation through the wood.
Caramelized substances from toasting are transformed during fermentation, giving complex aromas.
The combination of anthocyanins and ellagitannins provides structure, and stabilizes the wine’s colour.
Carbon dioxide escapes rapidly, and clarification occurs naturally at the end of fermentation.
Aging
Careful oxidation favours a slow and regular structuring.
Increased surface area makes blending and treating wines easier.
Essential in blending spirits, and helps preserve
the bouquet at the end of aging.
Finishing Touches
Hand-painted galvanized hoops.
A layer of linseed oil to protect the body of the vat, without sealing and blocking the pores.
Each container includes the accessories necessary for working with wines and spirits.
