🍷 Bung

Bung is the stopper that closes the hole in a barrel, made of wood or silicone. A barrel bung is a wooden or silicone stopper in the hole of a barrel. Wine is poured into the barrel through this hole, and samples are taken through it. The bung closes the hole so that air does not get in and the wine does not spill.

The hole is on the side or top of the barrel. An oak barrel is a closed vessel in which wine is aged for months and years. While the wine stands, part of it evaporates through the wood. So the barrel is topped up regularly, and the bung is taken out for this. Then it is put back.

Traditionally the bung was made of wood, often the same oak, and wrapped in cloth to fit more tightly. Today silicone is often used: it does not rot, is easy to wash and seals the barrel well. There is also a glass stopper with a valve through which air escapes.

The bung is a small part, but the safety of the wine in the barrel depends on it. It must be kept clean, otherwise mould can get into the wine.