Oak Chips

/OHK chips/
🍷Winemaking

Small oak pieces used as cheaper alternative to barrels.

Full Definition

Oak chips are small pieces of oak added to wine in tank as a cost-effective alternative to barrel aging. They impart oak flavors (vanilla, toast, spice) much faster than barrels but without the micro-oxygenation benefits. Common for value wines. Also available as staves, spirals, and powder.

Related Terms

oakbarrel alternativestaves

See Also

new oaktoast
OakBack to GlossaryOaky

More terms starting with O

Oak

Wood used for barrels, adding flavor and texture to wine.

Oaky

Pronounced oak character in wine.

Oenology

The science of winemaking.

Off-Dry

Wine with slight perceptible sweetness.

Old Vines

Mature grapevines, typically 35+ years old.

Old World

Traditional European wine regions.