- It adds flavor components such as aromas of vanilla, spices, smoke, and coconut.
- Oak barrels allow the slow ingress of oxygen – a process which makes wine taste smoother and less astringent.
- Oak also provides a suitable environment for certain metabolic reactions to occur such as malolactic fermentation which makes wine taste creamier.
- The barrel transpires moisture which can concentrate the wines flavors and texture.
View this brief video about the impact of oak wine barrels.