Ep 379: The Main Alternatives to Oak --All About Concrete Eggs and Amphoras

<p>Oak stabilizes color and smooths tannins, some think of it as a seasoning ingredient. But what about the other vessels that are increasingly popular for fermentation and aging? What do they do and are they really more than hype? We discuss the main alternatives to oak -- concrete and amphora, what each does and the benefits of each.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href= "https://www.concretewinetanks.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/concrete.jpeg" alt="" width="409" height="273" /></a><span style= "font-size: 8pt;"><em><a href="https://www.concretewinetanks.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Photo: Concrete eggs made by Sonoma Cast Stone </a></em></span></p> <p>The show is a hybrid of discussion and interview, as I welcome <a href="https://www.concretewinetanks.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Steve Rosenblatt of Sonoma Cast Stone</a>, who manufactures custom concrete eggs and tanks, and <a href= "https://www.vinethos.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Debbie Passin of VinEthos.com</a> who sells custom, next generation amphora.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/TAVA-amphoras-3-colors.jpeg" alt="" width="407" height="305" /><a href= "https://www.vinethos.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><strong>Photo: Vinethos</strong></em></span></a></p> <p>We start at the beginning and explain the purpose of all vessels for fermentation and aging.</p> <p> </p> <p>For winemakers looking for good texture and small transfers of oxygen to smooth the tannins in reds and provide a good medium for sur lie aging in whites, but who don't want the oak flavor, they have a few choices.</p> <ol> <li><strong>They can use aged, neutral oak barrels.</strong> These neutral barrels provide the benefits people seek but they do absorb a lot of wine, are hard