Winemakers have known for generations that oak characteristics mellow the tannins and that aging wine in small casks allow for more wine to be in contact with the oak. Many winemakers instead of investing in expensive American or French oak casks for aging the wine, are aging with wood chips in a stainless steel barrels and tanks. This method gives more wine-to-wood contact and won’t have the cost of casks or space that the casks require in aging cellars.
Oak barrels and “alternative” oak derived products, such as chips, staves, powder and liquid tannin extracts are currently widely used in the making of wines and as a means of flavoring wine. In South Africa, winemakers have infused the wood of Roobios bushes along with a little Cyclopia genistoides known commonly as honeybush plants growing in the Western Cape of South Africa into the vat of fermenting Merlot. The wood is unique in that it has high levels of antioxidants, no caffeine and low tannin levels when compared to other wood sources used in winemaking. It also contains a number of phenolic compounds and many flavonoids. Both wood types impart unique and distinctive flavours to red wine, including a tobacco–like smokiness, hints of vanilla, cherry and black pepper. Tasting notes from this new release have the Audacia Rooibos Merlot with intense aromas with a bouquet of sweet cherries, roses, Turkish delight and fynbos (a southern hemisphere bush). The palate is elegant with a balanced tannin structure. The wine’s flavors are also reminiscent of fynbos and spices, and they exhibit a pleasant, sweet red berry finish.The Audacia Rooibos Merlot is not available in the US yet. You can order the wine direct from the winery for just under $17 a bottle. If you are into trading, this first vintage could be a very lucrative purchase to hold onto for at least five years. Another great wine made using stainless steel! Check out the complete line of Skolnik Stainless Steel Wine Drums here.