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

 

 

OXYGEN PERMEATION RATES

The construction of the Flextank maturation vessels occurs under highly reproducible conditions that result in well-defined oxygen permeation rates. The below graph shows oxygen permeation rates for various wine production technologies, including barrels, corks and Flextank vessels.

The data shows that Flextank maturation vessels have oxygen permeabilities similar to second or third fill barrels. Importantly, a Flextank vessel with a stated permeability of 17 mg/litre/year will be exactly that, whereas oak barrels are highly variable in the permeation rates. Much better control of oxygen ingress can be achieved with Flextanks. Data is from the Australian Wine Research Institute together with measurements obtained by Flextank.

 
The defined permeation rates in Flextank maturation vessels provide winemakers with an option to choose the permeation rate best suited for a particular wine. As noted above, the wine trials in Switzerland used Flextanks with a permeability of 17 mg/litre/year for a short period of time to achieve the desired level of maturation, whereas the Australian trials used longer maturation periods with oak staves present.