The staves are hand stacked to ensure uniform drying and to bring out the desired organoleptic properties of the oak over time through consistent hydrolysis and slow oxidation in all planks.
The wind, sun and rain slowly modify the composition of the wood. Over days, months and years, the more astringent tannins are released and the structure of the wood matures. This loss of astringency is encouraged by the action of certain species of fungi that can only grow during the natural drying stage (Aerobasidium pullulans and Trichoderma harzianum).
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