🐝 American white oak

American white oak (Quercus alba) is a tree of North America from which wine barrels are made. It grows in the eastern United States and Canada. Its wood is dense with small pores and holds liquid well, so it suits barrels.

For barrels the staves are usually sawn, rather than split along the grain as is done with French oak. Barrels of American oak are often cheaper than French ones, because the tree grows faster and there is more of it. The forests are managed on a large scale.

The main feature is taste. American oak gives wine bright vanilla, coconut and sweet spice notes. It has fewer tannins than French oak. Such barrels are traditionally liked in Spain, especially in Rioja, as well as in America and Australia. Barrels of this oak are also used for bourbon whiskey.

American white oak belongs to the oak barrels. Next to it stands French oak, which gives finer, more restrained notes, while American is brighter. The choice depends on the style of wine. Alcohol is for adults.