A Winter Classic from My Kitchen to Yours
Pénélope shares her mother's French onion soup recipe, made to please a glass of our 2022 Tradition Chardonnay — slow-cooked comfort from our kitchen.
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Barrique
What is a barrique? A look at the 225-litre French oak barrel of Bordeaux origin, and how it shapes the texture and complexity of our Tradition wines.
Pénélope Roche
A barrique, a term originating in Bordeaux, refers to the specific size and shape of a French oak barrel, typically holding 225 litres of wine. The barrique influences not only the flavour, but the texture of the wine. Newer barriques impart delicious vanilla and spice flavours to wines, and add uniquely textured tannins, building the wine’s complexity. Barrels also provide small amounts of oxygen to soften and stabilize the wine.
Dense and powerful wines, such as those in our Tradition series, benefit most from extended time in oak barrels. Some of our Vig reds also see time in barrel. However, wines whose style is based on the freshness of their fruit character are kept in stainless steel tanks instead of barriques, so that they retain their vibrancy and juiciness.
Thank you for your curiosity and your support.
— Pénélope and Dylan, Vignerons, Roche Wines
