wooden barrel

Abstract

Title of the invention: Wooden barrel. The present invention relates to a wooden barrel (1) with a cylindrical body (2), in particular domed, and ends (6) arranged at the extremities of the body (2), intended for the storage of liquids, in particular wine or other alcoholic or similar beverages, at least a portion of the barrel (1) being made of a material other than wood, the material other than wood being a natural semi-permeable material, which makes it possible to reduce, where appropriate, the adverse influences of the types of wood used for the manufacture of a barrel (1) and / or to impart additional desired properties to the product contained in such a barrel (1) thanks to the additional material used other than wood. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Wooden barrel technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wooden barrel with a cylindrical body, in particular domed, and ends arranged at the ends of the body, for the storage of liquids, in particular wine or other alcoholic or similar beverages, at least a part of the barrel being made of a material other than wood. Previous technique

[0002] The use of wooden casks, commonly referred to below as barrels, is particularly widespread in the production and preservation or storage of alcoholic beverages, such as wine or other alcoholic drinks. When using a wooden cask, the material of the cask itself influences the quality of the product it contains, for example, high-quality and expensive wines. During winemaking and storage, it must be taken into account that wine in the cask undergoes a maturation process with alcoholic fermentation; the material of the cask influences not only the course of fermentation, but also, for example, the taste characteristics, as well as the maturation and storage time of the wine in such a cask.Such an influence on the quality and particular properties of a liquid stored in such a cask is also noticeable with other alcoholic beverages besides wine.

[0003] Such wooden barrels are formed from curved barrel staves whose longitudinal sides are joined together in a watertight manner. The staves extend along the entire length of the barrel body and are generally surrounded by hoops that hold the staves together and ensure the necessary watertightness. Ends are also provided at the ends of the body to create a suitably closed barrel with openings. The ends are also made of wooden elements in the shape of rods joined together.

[0004] Depending on the type of wood used to make a wooden barrel, different flavor properties are obtained, which may also have a potentially detrimental influence on the properties of the final product. For example, when using oak as the wood for making a wooden barrel, it should be noted that oak is usually rich in tannins and will be characterized by a taste of lignin, polysaccharides, lipids, and tannins. In addition, the oxygen exchange allowed by the porosity of the material contributes to greater complexity and storage capacity. On the other hand, if acacia is used as the material for such a barrel, the flavor profile will be different. In fact, it is essential to note that acacia does not contain tannins and that it has, for example, a taste of sweet compounds and floral aromas.

[0005] It is evident that, for example when using different materials for different types of wine, the use of a specific material for the barrel can have a potentially decisive influence on the final product.

[0006] The adverse or negative effects mentioned above of storing wine in various wooden barrels, characterized, for example, by bitterness and a masking of the primary aromas of certain grape varieties, often affect the quality of the final product. Description of the present invention

[0007] The present invention aims to reduce or minimize the potentially harmful effects of the wood material used for a wooden barrel or a barrel in general, and, advantageously, to emphasize or support possibly desired properties of the liquid to be stored or preserved in such a barrel, in particular wine, through the choice of appropriate materials.

[0008] To achieve the objective of the present invention, a wooden barrel of the type mentioned in the preamble is essentially characterized in that the material other than wood consists of a natural semi-permeable material. Because at least a portion of the wooden barrel, or the barrel in general, is made of a material other than wood, it is possible to reduce or minimize the potentially harmful effects of the wood material used, particularly depending on the extent to which the non-wood material is used.

[0009] Thanks to an appropriate selection of material other than wood, it is also possible to influence the liquid contained in the barrel in the desired manner, in particular wine or also another beverage, in particular alcoholic, for example by broadening the aromatic profile with components of possibly additional raw materials.

[0010] To obtain the desired properties in the product to be manufactured, it is proposed according to the present invention that the material other than wood be made of a natural semi-permeable material.

[0011] Such semi-permeable natural materials allow the implementation of a usual maturation and storage process, for example during wine production, because the entire barrel, in addition to the wood, which is also a semi-permeable raw material, is made up of semi-permeable natural materials.

[0012] In this context, it is proposed, according to a preferred embodiment, that the material other than wood be made of a rock such as granite, basalt or similar, a ceramic material such as terracotta, cocciopesto or similar, concrete or glass. Such materials not only possess the mechanical stability and strength necessary for the production of a barrel possibly having a volume superior, but also allow, depending on the intrinsic properties of the material, for suitable combinations of different types of wood and, for example, rock or ceramic materials, particularly depending on the grape varieties and style of wine to be produced. Such naturally semi-permeable materials, such as rock or ceramic, can, for example, strengthen the mineral structure of the final product and, in particular, enhance its storage properties.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment, it is proposed that at least one end be made of a material other than wood. In this way, a combination of such a barrel made of two combined raw materials becomes possible in a technically and structurally simple manner, the characteristics of a particular grape variety being taken into account, for example, for the production and storage of the wine and for its style.

[0014] In order to increase the influence of using a material other than wood for at least part of the barrel, it is proposed, according to a more preferred embodiment, that both ends be made of a material other than wood.

[0015] In order to further improve the final product to be manufactured or obtained, it is proposed, according to a more preferred embodiment, that the ends be made of a different material, other than wood. A proportionally greater influence of materials other than wood on preventing potentially harmful effects of the wood used for the body of the barrel, as well as on providing additional desirable effects, can also be achieved through said materials other than wood.

[0016] Preferably, the wooden parts are made of oak or acacia. Brief description of the figures

[0017] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a wooden barrel according to the present invention, schematically represented in the accompanying figures, and with reference to a plurality of examples of embodiments. It can be seen that:

[0018] [Fig. 1] is a side view of a wooden barrel according to the present invention, and

[0019] [Fig.2] is a front view of the bottom of such a wooden barrel. Description of the present invention

[0020] In Figures 1 and 2, the body of a wooden barrel, generally designated by the numeral 1 and also referred to as the barrel below, is designated by the numeral 2, the cylindrical body 2, in particular a convex one, being made up of a plurality of barrel staves 3 joined together, as is commonly known for a wooden barrel. The body 2 or the staves 3 are also surrounded by a plurality of circles or hoops 4. An opening closed by a bung 5 is also indicated.

[0021] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the body 2 of the barrel 1 is closed at its ends respectively by a bottom 6 which may have an additional orifice, also closable by a plug 7.

[0022] For the barrel staves 3 used to make at least the body or carcass 2 of the barrel 1, a wooden barrel generally uses oak or acacia.

[0023] Oak is generally rich in tannins and characterized by a taste of lignin, polysaccharides, lipids, and tannins. The exchange of oxygen due to the porosity of the material allows the wine to increase its complexity and shelf life.

[0024] The use of different types of oak is also known. In addition to the aforementioned properties, Austrian oak, for example, is characterized by a higher vanillin content due to loess soils, while German oak has a higher aldehyde content due to variegated sandstone. Conversely, Slavonian oak has a higher furan content due to sedimentary deposits, while French oak is characterized by a higher phenol content from shell limestone.

[0025] On the other hand, acacia does not contain tannins and its taste is particularly marked by sweet compounds, such as wood sugar and floral aromas.

[0026] From the foregoing, it can be immediately concluded that the type of wood used for the wooden cask 1 influences the product to be stored in such a cask 1, in particular wine or possibly another alcoholic beverage, due to the partially different properties mentioned above. As indicated above, the material of the cask 1 can also have a partially negative effect on the quality of the product to be stored in such a cask 1, in particular wine, which can lead, for example, to bitterness and masking of the primary aromas of the grape varieties.

[0027] To reduce, where appropriate, the adverse effects of the wood used on the product contained in the cask 1 and / or, for example, to strengthen the mineral structures or also with regard to the positive aspects of storing the wine over a long period, sub-regions of the cask 1, in particular at least one bottom 6, are made of a material different from the wood used for the body or carcass 2 of the cask 1.

[0028] Semi-permeable natural materials, such as those made of rock or ceramic materials, concrete, or glass, are used, particularly depending on the additional positive aspects to be obtained in the final product to be manufactured. When using such materials, different influences and different acidity ratios are obtained for the final product depending on their composition. in such a barrel 1, and an exchange of oxygen by porosity of the material can be obtained in the same way as for wood.

[0029] Among rock-based materials, the following materials may be cited, for example, which in particular exhibit the properties indicated: Granite is characterized by a higher iron and calcium content and better thermal insulation than wood. It also allows for easier cleaning of the barrel. Basalt has an increased content of limestone and soda.

[0030] Among clay or ceramic materials, examples include the materials listed below, which in particular exhibit the properties indicated: Terracotta has a higher zinc and limestone content, and no release of odors or aromas should be expected. Furthermore, increased oxygen exchange is to be expected due to its high porosity. The cocciopesto has a high aluminum and iron content and better thermal insulation, again without the release of odorous substances or aromas.

[0031] Among other materials that are at least partially semi-permeable, examples include the materials listed below, which in particular exhibit the properties indicated: Glass has less oxygen exchange due to reduced porosity and also does not give off odors or aromas. Concrete has a slightly lower oxygen exchange rate than wood. Furthermore, polymerization and stabilization of wines are possible during aging, for example, and the influence on color and phenolic composition will be minimal.

[0032] From the above, it can be concluded that the appropriate selection of the wood species for the body 2 of the drum 1 as well as the selection of a material other than wood for at least one bottom 6 of the drum 1 can influence the properties and quality of the final product contained in such a drum 1.

[0033] In the following examples of embodiments, for different grape varieties or types of wine, several combinations, provided by way of example and preferred, are respectively cited for the wooden body 2 of the barrel 1 and for at least one bottom 6 made of a material other than wood and included among the materials listed above.

[0034] Base wine for sparkling wine: Austrian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in stone or in

[0035] concrete Fruity white wines: • Acacia for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in stone or concrete; • German oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in concrete or in rock ; • Generally oak for the body 2 and at least a glass base 6.

[0036] Structured white wines: • Austrian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in stone or clay; • Slavonian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in clay or stone.

[0037] Fruity red wines: • Acacia for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in clay; • Slavonian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in stone or in concrete ; • French oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in stone or concrete; • Generally oak for the body 2 and at least one glass base 6.

[0038] Structured red wines: • Slavonian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in clay or stone; • Slavonian oak for the body 2 and at least one base 6 in clay or stone.

[0039] The advantages that can be obtained in the above embodiments through the use of different combinations of materials, as well as the influence on the properties of the different wines when using different types of wood for the body 2 and when using materials other than wood for the base or bases 6, can be directly deduced from the aforementioned properties of the materials indicated. In the above embodiments, it is possible to use one of the listed materials other than wood for one or both bases 6. Alternatively, the bases 6 can also be formed from combinations of different materials belonging to the aforementioned materials.

Claims

Demands

1. Wooden cask (1) with a cylindrical body (2), in particular domed, and ends (6) arranged at the ends of the body (2), intended for the storage of liquids, in particular wine or other alcoholic or similar beverages, in which at least a part of the cask (1) is made of a material other than wood, characterized in that the material other than wood is made of a natural semi-permeable material.

2. Wooden barrel according to claim 1, characterized in that the material other than wood consists of a stone, such as granite, basalt or similar, a ceramic material, such as terracotta, cocciopesto or similar, concrete or glass.

3. Wooden barrel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one bottom (6) is made of a material other than wood.

4. Wooden barrel according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the two ends (6) are made of a material other than wood.

5. Wooden barrel according to claim 4, characterized in that the ends (6) are made of a different material, other than wood.

6. Wooden barrel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the parts made of wood are oak or acacia.

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