Barrique

Barrique denotes an oak barrel of typically 225 litres, originally from the Bordeaux region. Because of the small volume, a lot of wine comes into contact with the wood. This releases aromas such as vanilla, toast or spice and softens tannins.

New barrels act more strongly, used barrels much more subtly. Use depends on the intended style: powerful reds and some whites are matured this way, light fruity wines usually are not. On labels the hint often appears only as aged in barrique.