Doubling down: barrel aging chardonnay with some help from whiskey

Chardonnay is often aged in oak barrels, so much so that "unoaked" chardonnay has been established as an alternative style. Jacob's Creek Double Barrel doubles down on oak barrel aging by using former Scotch whiskey barrels as part of the aging process. GlobalData explores what the method can offer.

Wine is often duty-bound to follow convention and tradition since wine-making practices can date back centuries. Jacob's Creek Double Barrel chardonnay breaks those conventions with a new version of chardonnay that is crafted in aged Scotch whiskey barrels. The result is a wine with "hues of green and vibrant cut straw along with the aroma of citrus and toast with subtle malty notes", according to the brand.

The aging process splits wine production into two halves. The first half is fermented in Scotch whiskey barrels and is then matured in traditional wine barrels. The second half is fermented in wine barrels and is then finished in Scotch whiskey barrels. When this process is complete, both halves are blended together for a "unique and unexpected" wine that "breaks conventions and challenges all the expectations you have of chardonnay", the producer claims. Packaged in a 750ml glass bottle, the product retails for A$24.99.

Tom Vierhile, innovation insights director for GlobalData, says: "Jacob's Creek Double Barrel chardonnay appears to have been developed for Australia's winter season as a 'winter white' wine and a follow-up to the vintner's 2014 launch of Double Barrel red wine in varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Consumers tend to gravitate toward fuller-bodied alcoholic beverages when the weather cools, and this can leave white wines like chardonnay behind.

"Unlike oak wine barrels that are often made from fine-grain French or American oak, whiskey barrels are generally made from coarse-grain American oak that is charred, bringing out oak's natural wood sugars and adding a new dynamic to the aging process. Whiskey barrel aging gives chardonnay a firmer structure, creamier texture, and intriguing aromas."

He adds: "Australian alcoholic beverage consumers tend to be novelty-seeking, which bodes well for this launch. According to GlobalData's brand new 2018 Q3 global consumer survey, 76% of Australians say that how enjoyable or unique an alcoholic beverage is influences their product choice. Fifty-five to 64-year-olds there tend to be the most novelty-seeking, with 83% saying this impacts their alcoholic beverage choices."

Wine is often duty-bound to follow convention and tradition since wine-making practices can date back centuries. Jacob's Creek Double Barrel chardonnay breaks those conventions with a new version of chardonnay that is "crafted in aged Scotch whiskey barrels." The result is a wine with "hues of green and vibrant cut straw along with the aroma of citrus and toast with subtle malty notes."

The aging process splits wine production into two halves. The first half is fermented in Scotch whiskey barrels and is then matured in traditional wine barrels. The second half is fermented in wine barrels and is then finished in Scotch whiskey barrels. When this process is complete, both halves are blended together for a "unique and unexpected" wine that "breaks conventions and challenges all the expectations you have of Chardonnay." Packaged in a 750ml glass bottle, the product retails for A$24.99.

Tom Vierhile, innovation insights director for GlobalData, says: "Jacob's Creek Double Barrel chardonnay appears to have been developed for Australia's winter season as a 'winter white' wine and a follow-up to the vintner's 2014 launch of Double Barrel red wine in varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Consumers tend to gravitate toward fuller-bodied alcoholic beverages when the weather cools, and this can leave white wines like chardonnay behind. Unlike oak wine barrels that are often made from fine-grain French or American oak, whiskey barrels are generally made from coarse-grain American oak that is charred, bringing out oak's natural wood sugars and adding a new dynamic to the aging process. Whiskey barrel aging gives chardonnay a firmer structure, creamier texture, and intriguing aromas."

He adds: "Australian alcoholic beverage consumers tend to be novelty-seeking, which bodes well for this launch. According to GlobalData's brand new 2018 Q3 global consumer survey, 76% of Australians say that how enjoyable or unique an alcoholic beverage is influences their product choice. 55–64 year-olds there tend to be the most novelty-seeking, with 83% saying this impacts their alcoholic beverage choices."

Share this article

Image courtesy of James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com