Wooden Vats
Many wineries in California use large wooden vats to ferment their wine. They are also quite common in Bordeaux and Burgundy. This can be because of preference, tradition or economics. New stainless steel tanks are often too expensive for small wineries.
The use of Wooden Vats as Fermentation Containers
Because they are so large and are used for many years, wooden vats are neutral and do not impart characteristics into wine. They are generally made out of redwood. In comparison to stainless steel tanks, wooden vats are difficult to clean and sterilize. It is also more difficult to control the temperature of fermentation with wooden vats.
Before the advent of stainless steel tanks, large wooden vats or concrete tanks were the only large fermentation containers available to winemakers. Large oak barrels called foudres were also used.
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