CONCRETE TANKS: A NEW TREND OR REVERSION TO THE SIMPLICITY?

The reversion to old winemaking techniques is a fact. Wine makers have turned to techniques that their grandparents used to use to create wines with more expressive character and greater purity of fruit. As part of this trend, the use of concrete tanks has begun and is becoming increasingly popular.

If compared to the stainless tank, it clearly shows that it outperforms in several places, which justifies its preference by many winemakers around the world. Let's look at them analytically:

1. Concrete is a porous material, so it allows the micro oxygenation of the wine while the stainless tank is not. This is very important as it helps in the aromas, color and structure of the wine, but also in avoiding the phenomenon of reduction. The barrel allows micro oxygenation but almost always influences the wine by giving its characteristic aromas, while the concrete tank is almost neutral and preserves the purity of the fruit.
2. Cement has the amazing ability of staying cool and keeping a constant temperature. And this is also important for the fruity character of the wine.
3. Because the concrete tank helps the wine to express its character without affecting it, some wine makers claim that wines from cement tanks express uniquely the place they were born, or in simple words the terroir.

The disadvantage is that while they come in a variety of shapes and sizes it is not very easy to transport them due to their weight, especially if we are talking about large tanks. Some also claim that cleaning is difficult because heavy chemicals and hard brushes are not allowed.

We do not know if this is a trend that will fade away, but it is a fact that its roots are deeply rooted in the past as inspiration comes from the ancient amphorae used by the Greeks and the Romans. Also, so far, those who turn to cement are satisfied enough to keep using them ... so we must see how this trend will develop.

Eva Markaki

Wine Geek