Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/267019
6 8 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | M a r - A p r 2 014 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m "We aren't saying these are the best barrels on the market," she said. "We are saying that if you can find what you want in a G7, you can get the same effect year after year." The G7 barrels are categorized by tannin level: Symetrie, low tan- nin, Originie, medium tannin and Energie high tannin. High-tannin barrels are popular in Burgundy, Thomas said, where wineries pair them with neutral barrels to get more bang for the buck. Last year, Vicard sold several thousand of the barrels, mostly in Italy and France. Prices range from 680 euros for a Burgundy barrel to 870 euros for a Bordeaux chateau style. PROVING ITS METTLE Vista, Calif.-based Modern Coo- perage wants to do away with some oak barrels, offering a metal barrel with an inner stave assembly that makers say saves money and gets results at least as good as a wood barrel with inner staves. To prolong the life of neutral wood barrels, a winery may pay $50-$70 to have the head removed, plus the cost of the staves. Even those staves will lose their ability to impart character to the wine and the process will have to be done again. "A wood barrel loses the abil- ity to impart flavor rapidly and the longer you have it, it becomes a money pit," said Patrick Pickett, a winemaking consultant with Mod- ern Cooperage. "You keep putting money in and getting less out." In early 2013, Modern Cooper- age released a steel barrel with an inner stave system accessible through the top of the barrel that requires no special skill to maintain or use. Modern's goal was to have a steel barrel that works seamless- ly with existing cellar equipment. The barrel's profile is similar The Modern Cooperage barrel is made from steel and features an interior stave system. The Cool Climate Series by T.W. Boswell is the embodiment of elegance. To emphasize fruit and terroir, Cool Climate Series barrels are exclusively crafted with 36 month, extra fine grain French oak as part of T.W. Boswell's Special Reserve premium wood selection. Our team nurtures this exceptional wood source, and then each barrel is specially crafted using new, low-impact proprietary toasts that focus on finesse, thereby complementing delicate fruit and accentuating elegance. Cool Climate Series Special Reserve French Oak Barrels