Research and Innovation: The Quest for the Perfect Barrel
Research is a fundamental element in continuously improving processes and finding the perfect barrel for the wine intended to be aged in it. Driven by its passion for knowledge, Tonelería Murúa conducts research to deepen its understanding and apply this knowledge to enhance its products and offer the best to its customers.
Proyecto Origen: A Scientific Approach to Barrel Selection
In this context, Proyecto Origen was born—an initiative that studies the differentiation of wine aged in American oak barrels from different regions of the Appalachian forests in the United States, specifically from Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Tonelería Murúa has carried out this research project in collaboration with the University of La Rioja and Excell Ibérica laboratories, with the support of ADER (Economic Development Agency of La Rioja).
The project’s objective is to gain deeper insights into the contribution of oak to wine based on its geographical origin. This knowledge will allow wineries to select wood from a specific region depending on the wine they wish to create or the grape variety used.
To achieve this, wines were aged in barrels sourced from forests in four U.S. states—Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—analyzing how the different oak origins influence the chemical and sensory characteristics of the wines.
A total of 14 wineries from the D.O. Ca Rioja and Ribera del Duero participated in the project.
Completion of the First Phase
The first phase of the project, now completed, involved analyzing the wines before being placed in barrels and after 6 and 12 months of barrel aging.
- Initial analysis: Enological parameters, color, polyphenols, and volatile composition of the wines.
- After 6 months of aging: Analysis of color, polyphenols, volatile composition, and ellagitannins derived from the wood.
- After 12 months of aging: The same parameters were evaluated, and a sensory tasting was conducted by a panel of expert tasters.
First Phase Findings
On July 4th, Tonelería Murúa welcomed participating wineries to its Navarrete facilities for the presentation of the first conclusions from Proyecto Origen.
Two key findings emerged from this study:
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Each oak origin imparts unique characteristics to the wine.
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The geographic origin of the barrel plays a significant role in oak-related aromas, affecting anthocyanin, stilbene, and ellagitannin content while having little impact on other phenolic compounds.
Key Results by Barrel Origin:
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Pennsylvania oak barrels produced wines with greater brightness and the highest concentration of volatile phenols, leading to enhanced aromas of clove, smoke, toast, and leather.
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Kentucky and Ohio barrels resulted in wines with higher ellagitannin content, contributing to increased structure and aging potential.
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Missouri barrels led to wines with the most aromatic intensity at both 6 and 12 months of aging.
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While barrel origin did not significantly affect the visual attributes of the wines, it had a notable impact on taste profiles.
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Wines aged in Kentucky and Ohio barrels displayed the highest tannin content and balance, with Kentucky barrels producing the wines that were most highly rated overall, followed by those aged in Missouri and Pennsylvania oak.
Development of the Second Phase
Currently, Proyecto Origen is continuing its research by analyzing wines that have been aged in barrels for 24 months.
On the same day the first conclusions were presented, a new tasting session was held for wines aged 24 months in barrels from the four American oak sources.
The project is expected to continue until November, when the final conclusions of this groundbreaking research initiative led by Tonelería Murúa will be revealed.
