How Do Oak Barrels Influence Wine Flavors?

Aging wine in oak offers four significant contributions:

1. It adds aromas and flavor components of vanilla, spice, toast, and coconut.
2. Oak barrels allow the slow ingress of oxygen, which softens the wine to make it smoother and less astringent.
3. Oak also provides a suitable environment for specific metabolic reactions, such as malolactic fermentation, making wine taste creamier.
4. The barrel transpires moisture, concentrating the wine flavors and texture.

The amount of oak flavor in a wine will impact how it pairs with food. The heavier the wine’s oak flavor, the bolder the food needs to be. When pairing an oaked wine, consider how you cook (e.g., grilled or smoked), seasonings, and the accompaniments to your main dish. View this brief video about how oak influences wine flavor. 

View this brief video where Curt Dunham, LDV Winemaker discusses how oak influences wine flavor.