To Oak or Not To Aak? That Is The Question!

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Wine, vino, vin, or 葡萄酒- no matter how you say it, is recognized worldwide. But its popularity could not have been reached if not for stainless steel. Wine making itself is a tricky and tedious business, with attention to detail and constant monitoring, the introduction of stainless steel into this industry changed everything forever.

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In the world of wine, and wine-making there are constant arguments about any little thing; from which corkscrew to use, to old world and new world wines, wooden or steel and the newest one-cap or cork? Today we will focus on the argument of wooden or steel-while stainless steel has improved the process of wine-making everywhere in the world through its introduction into its machinery, it has also been the topic of many heated arguments.

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The arguments are in the style of: taste, time and value it gives or takes away from the wine. Let’s use French Chardonnay as our example to this argument. While many like the traditional oak or “buttery” taste of a traditional Chardonnay, many prefer the citrus; more fruit forward taste a non-oak fermented Chardonnay will have. Many say the use of stainless steel vats lets the grape ferment in a very different manner; some believe the lack of presence of oak lets the natural sweetness or citrus come through, giving it a self identity and not adhering to any from the oak.

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Many “old world” vineyards still adhere to tradition, but you cannot argue that since the introduction of stainless steel, “new world” vineyards have been able to expand its product line as well as produce more affordable wines. Stainless steel vats lowered their overhead dramatically, although at first the cost is great, the steel vats outlive their oak barrel or oak vat compatriots.

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Steel oak has paved a new era for wine all around the world. Not only has it changed the era of Chardonnay’s but as well as red wine, and sparkling wines. Today, we can find wines from anywhere in the world all thanks to stainless steel vats and its influence in the world of wine. I say thank you, but you may not,- so let’s grab a glass of wine and  let the argument begin.

Here at Shanghai Metal Corporation we are a one stop shop for all your stainless steel needs. As stainless steel ambassadors we can meet any of your stainless steel needs.

Fore more information on stainless steel material, please visit our website. Be sure to join the conversation on our Linkedin group, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. You can also try our new mobile application by scanning the below QR with your tablet or smart phone.

Mario B.//SMC Editor

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Sources: Super Monte, Cellar Work, ucdavismba.org

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