Wine101 from Snooth

There are two distinct aspects to oak that influence the flavors of wines aged in barrel. The first are the flavors inherent in the wood, while the second are the flavors created during the construction of the barrel. One of the features of oak that set one species apart from another is the density of the wood. The structure of each stave in the barrel can have a surprisingly large impact on the way the barrel reacts with the wine it holds.

Another important, and frequently overlooked, aspect to managing the impact and profile of oak aging is the seasoning of the wood before the barrel is constructed. These two elements, wood structure and aging, each play an important role in determining how a type of wood can be used to improve a wine.