To start with, Serbian oak is identical in quality to French oak.
The Serbian Oak barrel has long been an important part of winemaking. It was traditionally used to mellow the harsh tannins in young red wines, but it's also been used for aging spirits such as whiskey and brandy.
The interest in high quality Serbian Oak is very high and today Serbian Oak barrels are exported to many wineries all around the world.
In this article we will show you the historic culture of winemaking in Serbia through the centuries and how Serbian Oak barrels are made using traditional techniques and modern technology alike.
The history of wine culture in Serbia
Eastern European Oak barrels have a long history of winemaking in Serbia. The climate and soil in Serbia are ideal for growing quality oak, grape and wine production.
Serbia is a great representative of winemaking in the Eastern Europe region, with specific terroirs and a mild and comfortable climate, lending to the successful cultivation of both indigenous and international varietals. These are complemented by a very traditional and often unique approach to winemaking itself, resulting in wonderful Serbian wines.
Ancient Greeks were the first to bring vines and winemaking to Serbia in the 5th century BC. Many historic evidences are showing that the vine was brought mostly from Thassos, an island in Greece.
In the 3rd century AD Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus, born in Sirmium, a Roman city on the territory of today’s Serbia, planted the first vine on the slopes of Mons Aureus in Fruška Gora, which is regarded as the beginning of winemaking in Serbia.
In the 12th century, when the Nemanjić dynasty came to power in Serbia, winemaking gained much more significance. At this time, wine was mostly produced by monasteries, which would often receive vineyards as a gift from the ruling classes.
Wine production was brought to a stop by the Ottoman Empire’s occupation of Eastern Europe and Serbia in the 15th century since Islam prohibits alcohol consumption. However, the Serbs did not oblige and were known to continue cultivating their precious vineyards.
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Despite all of the hardships Serbian vineyards have endured, they persist even today.
Present time
Serbia's wine culture has grown significantly in recent years, producing a variety of quality wines. The production and use of the highest quality Serbian Oak barrels have contributed to the success of the Serbian wine industry. Currently, there are more than 400 winemakers in 77 zones and sub-zones in Serbia. The forests in the Republic of Serbia are some of the most favourable in Europe. Oak and beech forests make up the majority of the forest ecosystems in Serbia.
Today, Serbia’s wine culture relies on state-of-the-art vineyards, producing an impressive variety of quality wines. While continuing to grow native grapes, the domestic wine industry also increasingly meets the demand for international varieties.
Barrel making
Serbian Oak barrels are made of Quercus Petraea Oak growing at 400-600 m altitude.
Our team of specialists is carefully choosing each oak tree. To ensure that trees will have time to heal and rest, cutting only occurs during winter months.
Each stave has been sawn out of the tree trunk separately, so the fibre construction remains undamaged and the stave maintains its high quality.
The staves are seasoned for at least three years, during which they are exposed to extreme temperature changes. In winter the temperature can drop as low as -30C, while in summer it can reach +40C.
Serbian Oak emphasizes the flavour of almonds, nuts and vanilla, exposing the fruit flavour while enhancing the character of the wine and brandy. In addition, it creates a balance between various aromas, intensifying the lasting elegance and sweetness of spice aromas.
Barrels from BARRIQUE SA are perfect for improving wine and brandy during the aging process. Their thick fibre construction is great for retaining heat, which helps to improve the flavour of your precious drink.
Quality of our barrels
The Serbian Oak is identical in quality to French oak, making it a good alternative for those on a budget. Our barrels are made of Eastern European oak and can add unique flavours and characteristics to wine, depending on the toast level.
The high quality and durability of Eastern European Oak barrels make them a wise investment for any winery. Easter European Oak barrel is perfect for ageing your wine. The 225L barrel will give you plenty of space to age your wine, and the full-length barrel will allow the wine to come into contact with more of the oak, giving it a richer flavour.
All this is the reason why we are introducing Serbia Oak barrels to the South African market.
BARRIQUE SA aims to be the foremost expert on Serbian Oak barrels, offering a selection of the finest barrels used by some of the top winemakers in the world!
