THE GREAT FORESTS OF ROMANIA
Transilvania Bois sources its wood in three historic regions of Romania: Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia. The oaks come mainly from forests along the ‘magic’ 45th parallel, said to be the latitude of the world’s great wines.Tonnellerie Vladoak barrels are made from an assembly of these great forests.
Transylvania is famous for its Quercus Petraea, or sessile oak, which is renowned for its extra fine grain. Medium toasted, it gives oaky notes marked by vanilla, coffee and licorice, and is best adapted to red wines. Light toasting gives discreet tannins and great freshness, with an utmost respect for the fruit.
Moldavia produces Quercus Robur, or pedunculated oak, which is less aromatic but much more tannic, and is ideal for maturing full- bodied red wines and wines destined for long ageing.
Quercus Robur has a medium grain which is well suited to large format tuns and vats.
The oaks of Moldavia come from the eastern Carpathian Mountains.
The geographical situation of Wallachia makes it suitable for both sessile and pedunculated oak. Because of their transversal position between Transylvania and Moldavia, the Wallachian mountains produce oaks that are fine to medium grained. The wood, which comes mainly from the southern Carpathian Mountains, is more tannic than that of Transylvania while respecting the red fruit aromas of the wines
THE ROMANIAN OAKS
WOOD, FIRE, WATER AND MAN
ARE THE INGREDIENTS THAT ALLOW TONNELLERIE VLAD
TO PRODUCE BARRELS OF NOTEWORTHY DISTINCTION.
Romanian oaks unite all the necessary qualities for the production of high-quality barrels. They meet the three main criteria that must be considered when evaluating the oenological potential of European Oak :
1
The presence of tyloses that will determine the water-tightness of the barrels and the intensity of the microoxygenation of wines and of the exchange with the external environment (evaporation and exchange of gases).
2
The proper balance of phenolic compounds, in particular ellagitannins: which contribute to the wood’s durability and its ability to influence the evolution of the wines’ composition and quality during ageing.
3
The presence of desirable aromatic compounds, such as vanillin for example, which contributes to the aromatic complexity conferred by the oak to the wines during ageing.
The Romanian oaks selected by Tonnellerie Vlad produce extra fine to medium grained wood.
The specificity of their geographical origin creates an aromatic palette marked by vanilla,
and gentle nuances of freshly cut wood and spices
The Romanian oaks selected by Tonnellerie Vlad produce extra fine to medium grained wood. The specificity of their geographical origin creates an aromatic palette marked by vanilla, and gentle nuances of freshly cut wood and spices.