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11/12/2012 – This question and answer correspondence was via email but we thought it would be helpful to anyone interested.
xtraoak product samples
I received your pamphlet at last years' Midwest Grape and Wine conference and viewed your online store which gave this address to request samples.
I was particularly interested in the XOAKERS and STAVETTES, wanting to test them on approx. 60 gal. each, of this year's Chambourcin and Chardonel wine.
Which "toast" level would you recommend for each variety mentioned above? French or American Oak?
I rely on your expertise and would like samples sent to me at the address below.
Thank you,
Dan
Response From Xtraoak / XtraChene: Hello Dan,
Since you mention 60 gallon quantities, does this mean that you will be adding the oak to barrels? Our Xoakers are ideal for this application because you can add them through the bung hole, and after the aging is complete (and the wine is racked), you can wash / roll them back out of the barrel.
Our Stavettes are designed for tank use specifically, and come in 20 lb increments only (enough for about 500 gallons). Regarding choice of American or French and toast level: these decisions, of course, are style specific, so perhaps you have had some preference in the past?
For Chardonel, French oak might be the better choice because it offers a somewhat subtler oak impression than the American. Medium toast would be a good choice, I think, (vanilla, spice, graham cracker). For your Chambourcin, you might consider American oak.
Here in Sonoma County, I have a number of customers using American oak with their Zinfandels and Syrahs. I think Chambourcin may offer some similar up-front fruit flavors and aromas (or even something like a Gamay), and our American oak can add some sweet, toasty elements to highlight these fruit qualities, but also add some nice depth of
flavor to the middle palate (vanilla, roasted marshmallow, spice, brown sugar). A medium toast will have more impact on the middle palate and the our medium plus toast will tend to show more on the finish. We can provide some samples of both of these products to you, and I will include both origins of oak in medium and medium plus toasts.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best Wishes,
Brian
5/9/2011 – Question about displacement: Your web page states that stavettes are sold in 20 lbs. bags. And that displacement is 4 gallons per 40 lbs. of this oak.
Most oak suppliers report 4 gallons displacement per 20 (or 22) lbs. of oak. Can you confirm that 4 gallons is displaced by 20 lbs, or by 40 lbs.??
Thanks,
Response From Xtraoak / XtraChene: Dear Dennis,
Thank you for your question. The displacement for a 20 pound bag of French oak stavettes is 4.07 Gallons of displacement. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Cheers,
The Xtraoak Team
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