Anglo-American hollow measure for wine and beer and also a barrel type with 119.335 (England) and 119.240 litres (USA). This corresponds to half a hogshead. In the Anglo-American world, barrel is also used as a synonym for barrique barrel, which describes a barrel type with 225 litres. The oil barrel, however, consists of 159 litres. However, the term "barrel" in winemaking can also mean the ageing of wine in barrels, i.e. barrique ageing, as is the case colloquially, especially in German-speaking countries, with "aged in barrique".
In the New World, various terms are commonly used in connection with fermentation and ageing, which may appear on the label. With regard to the use of oak chips and oak extract (in liquid or powder form), there are differences in wine legislation within the EU and the USA (see Wood chips). Only "barrel fermented" means without a doubt that the wine has been aged in barriques (i.e. in barrels), whereas the two terms "oaked" or "wood matured" mean that this was probably done in the form of wood chips. All these materials belong to the group of oenological tannins.
All relevant keywords with further information on this topic are listed under the keyword cask. For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Speciality wines, Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues).
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