The Wooden Barrel: an ancient icon of winemaking

The wooden barrel is likely the oldest container still used for transporting and aging wine. Its history is deeply intertwined with trade, from Roman times to the 18th century when winemaking improved and wines were crafted to age for years.

History gives us two characters tied to barrels: Diogenes, who famously lived in one, and Attilius Regulus, who tragically died in one — about 2,500 years ago, give or take. The widespread use of barrels is often credited to the Gauls. According to Pliny, they used wooden vats to prevent wine from freezing in winter. At that time, barrels weren’t used for aging; wine was consumed fresh, as any attempt at aging would have resulted in vinegar.

Why Barrels Were a Game-Changer

Barrels became popular for their practicality: they’re easy to roll or rotate, making transportation a breeze. Oak wood is ideal for barrel-making, though walnut and chestnut have been used. Oak’s resistance to bending and its ease of splitting into staves make it perfect. Barrels are also fascinating geometric solids. Their shape provides the maximum volume for a given surface area, which means a barrel always holds more than any other solid of the same surface size.