Wooden caratellos (small barrels) are the custodians of Vin Santo. With a typical capacity of 20 to 100 liters, they are designed to withstand the years of aging of this wine made from dried grapes. Not all artisanal caratellos are built correctly. Considerations include the choice of wood, its natural aging for years in open spaces, the ageing of the planks, and the craftsmanship and construction technique. Since this is a sweet wine, rich in sugars, it’s important that the structure of the caratello conforms to high construction standards, with the thickness of the staves and bottoms to withstand pressure, and the perfect, tailor-made hooping for each side.

Caratello in the Vinsantaia

Usually, several small barrels are arranged in a neat row in Vinsantaia. It’s recommended to create batches of barrels made entirely of oak, followed by others made of chestnut, and others made of cherry, or robinia (acacia). This makes it easier to distinguish and differentiate the aromas of the various woods. This will result in evaporation, oxidation, and then the mother, which serves as a deposit for the aged yeasts in the barrel.

What are the best woods for Vin Santo barrels?

• Oak: Generally the most commonly used.
• Chestnut: A very tannic and medium-hard wood.
• Cherry: A sweet, fruity, aromatic wood, offering fresh and intense yet rounded notes; a tender, more porous wood.
• Robinia (Acacia): Strong, tenacious, with excellent structure and resistance; therefore, a very hard, less porous wood.
• Multi-Wood: Centenary “Sensazione Unica” barrels, designed by master cooper F. Renzi, each barrel is constructed with very thick staves and bottoms, resulting in up to six woods in a single barrel, achieving a unique and extraordinary blend of aromas.

Capacity for Vin Santo barrels

Requests are usually based on quantities and space in the Vin Santo cellar; wineries rarely choose capacities greater than 100 liters, while private individuals generally choose no more than 40-50 liters.

Are all artisanal barrels the same?

No! We recommend purchasing barrels directly from the cooper, asking: whether the wood is naturally seasoned, how many years it has been seasoned, how they are constructed, the thickness of the staves at the belly, and the hooping, considering that the barrels will be subjected to strong natural stress for many years, so their construction quality is extremely important. Wooden barrels since 1546: from Renzi, the artisan cooper

Renzi, the artisan cooper, a family and a historic company.
Contact us today for a consultation and a quote for custom-made barrels for your Vinsantaia.