Troncais Oak
Definition - What does Troncais Oak mean?
Troncais Oak refers to the origin of a specific oak used to make wine barrels from the Troncais Forest in France. Used mostly to age brandy, cognac and the finest wines, wine casks make from Troncais Oak are nicknamed "magic casks". Troncais Oak is a white oak with a very tight grain that is known to develop smooth tannins.
WineFrog explains Troncais Oak
Troncais Oak is considered one of the finest woods to make wine barrels from. Grown in mature forests in the heart of France, the origin of the oak plays a fundamental importance to the characteristics of the wood and the flavors it gives to wine. The forest features poor silica and clay soil, with trees growing close together, which produces small diameter trees with a tight fine grain. The grain not only regulates the temperature of the wine, it also keeps too much oxygen from oxidizing the wine.
Each year, a limited amount of wood is harvested, made into staves and air-dried for over 4 years. When the staves are dried, they are used to used to make barrels that age wine from 12 to 24 months. During aging process, the Troncais Oak imparts and develops subtle flavors of spice and earthiness while developing a silky smooth mouth feel.
