Flextank HDPE Maturation Vessels - Australian & International Trial Updates

introduction

wine trials in australia

wine trials in germany

wine trials in switzerland

fermentation & maturation
trials with white wine

oxygen permeable rates

other polyethylene vessels

 

 

FERMENTATION & MATURATION TRIALS WITH WHITE WINE

Oxygen ingress during fermentation and ageing on lees in barrels is vital to the successful development of white wine styles such as Chardonnay. Flextank vessels with staves offer an attractive option to oak vessels, allowing both controlled oxygen ingress and also manipulation of the oak level by variation of the number of staves. More staves can be added or some removed during the maturation process, should the oak level be regarded as too low or too high, respectively.

In one Australian trial with a 2008 Chardonnay, the blind tasting showed a slight preference for the wine in barrel (4 year old with new oak insert) to the Flextank wine, although both were allocated to the same final blend. The wine stored in stainless steel in this trial was allocated to a lower grade.

A fermentation trial [again, Australian] with Pinot Gris in 2008 showed that the wine resulting from fermentation in Flextanks without added staves retained excellent aromatic characters. The winemakers participating in the tasting noted that the wine fermented in Flextanks had 'excellent mouthfeel and showed a high degree of varietal character'.
A US Sonoma Valley winemaker conducting fermentation and maturation trials with sauvignon blanc in Flextank vessels placed an additional purchase order for additional vessels within 3 months, commenting "already the wine in the Flextank's is superior to barrel...".
These and other trials, while remaining preliminary, clearly demonstrate the potential for the application of Flextank vessels to the fermentation and development of white wines as well as red wines.
Polyethylene vessels such as drums and IBC's, have been used for transport wine and for short term storage for many years. However it is a common experience that wine stored in these does not keep well.
 
In fact, common polyethylene containers like drums & IBC's are too oxygen permeable to mature wine correctly, they:
  • are too thin walled for their volume, i.e. too 'oxidative'
  • have unsuitable shapes, i.e. have recesses or projections which trap air
  • are difficult to clean internally, having small openings
  • are made from common grades of PE which are incorrect for maturation
  • often exhibit a 'burnt wax' taint
On the other hand, Flextank HDPE Vessels, are engineered to mature wine by using a correct balance between material permeability and wall thickness, vessels surface area and volume.