THE CASKS
Despite massive progress with innovative robotic technology, the process of coopering a barrel still requires significant human skill. It normally begins with a stock of oak. There is a distinction between American and French oak.
American white oak is the wood most frequently used to make barrel staves – long sections of wood that make up the main part of the body. Oak is mainly used because the wood is resistant to decay and other types of deformation.
The most coveted barrels are sherry casks. There are also port casks, red wine barrels (such as Pinot Noir, Rioja, Burgundy, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, etc.) and white wine (Sauternes, Chardonnay, etc.).
The choice of cask is unlimited. One important point to consider when choosing is that the cask releases an outstanding flavour from the liquid it contained previously. Depending on their condition, all these barrels are completely disassembled, repaired and reconstructed into new, refreshed barrels.