Introduction
The size of a barrique depends on the type of use it is intended for: in fact, different sizes are foreseen for some types of wines (called “barricaded wines”) in aging or for geographical differences.
Before going into the concrete dimensions of the barriques, we recommend being sure that you know what is the difference between a barrique and a barrel.
The dimensions of a barrique
Normally the dimensions of a “barrique” barrel are 225 or 228 liters.
Specifically, there are different sizes to be used depending on the types:
- For the Bordeaux barrique the stable size is 228 liters
- For the Burgundian barrique, also called “pièce” in French, the standard size is 228 liters
- For the barriques destined to refine the cognac the required size is 350 liters
- For the barriques intended for port refinement, 205 liters are used as size
- For the barrels intended for the refinement of champagne, a measure equal to about 205 liters is used
- For the “tonneaux” type barrique the standard size is 500 liters
- For the “demi-barrique” type, that is a reduced barrique, a barrique capacity ranging from 110 to 115 liters is used as a standard of the size.
The most “classic” format of barrique and currently most widespread in France, is the 225 liter size / capacity one.
Some advantages of the size of the barrels
The size of a barriques is designed in such a way as to allow the aging wine with better oxygenation than that achievable with the classic larger barrels.