Wooden barrels with large volumes were already made in the Middle Ages, primarily as showpieces or for reasons of prestige. In one case, there was even a competition between princes and bishoprics. In Thuier in the south of France, there is an oak barrel with a volume of 1,000,200 l, which is used for the aperitif Byrrh. However, two other two exhibits are vying for the title of "largest wooden wine barrel in the world". In Heidelberg Castle (Baden) there is one with a volume of 221,726 litres that was once used as a wine barrel. Even larger is the Dürkheimer Fass (Palatinate) with a diameter of 13.5 metres and a volume of 1.7 million litres, which was made as a showpiece...
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)