Used Wine Barrels

[Roger]

Gumtree have some used wine oak barrels for sale at $200 - a mix of American and French oak. It looks like they are coming from Junee and they are doing a run to Canberra, Yass etc. I have asked what sort of wine has been in the barrels. Does this seem like a good buy? Haven't seen barrels advertised before? Any wines I should stay clear of or request a particular type? Love to think I can spend a few happy hours of my life attempting to fill the sucker. But then what if after a couple of years it tastes like crap?? All my eggs in one basket, or brew in one barrel....

[RefluxEd]

$200 is a bit steep. The situation:
Victoria has had a really good vintage this year and has held back it wine barrels for another year, so hardly any available here. South Australia must have had a lowsy year as there are plenty available there for around $100.
I am thinking of getting a truck to go over there picking up a heap.
It may be worthwhile for you to hire a tandem trailer and go over on a weekend and pick up some too. Depending on the quantity you get, it may be a worthwhile trip. I don't think oak barrells for $100 will appear again any time soon so now is the time to get as many as you reckon you'll need.

On the wine types, I have found that shiraz and merlot work quite well.

[Irritable]

Is there a way to char barrels that have been used for wine or is it just to difficult with kids in place / likely...not to end well?
Si

[RefluxEd]

Is there a way to char barrels that have been used for wine or is it just to difficult with kids in place / likely...not to end well?
Si

You'll need a propane burner that gives a big soft flame and some coopering skills too. Tricky... :think:
Back in the old days they'd remove all the hoops from one end and prise out the end cap. Then they'd light a fire in the barrell and hopefully get an even char on the inside. The tricky bit is getting the barrel back together and get it water tight.

[Triangle]

South Australia must have had a lowsy year as there are plenty available there for around $100.

At over 50% of the country's production there is just a shit load of them around!

[Sam.]

Last one I bought was $60.....

Also, good luck filling one with anything, I would suggest starting with something a bit more reasonable, I find it hard enough to fill a 25L with good stuff let alone 200L :wtf:

[Whiskyaugogo]

Stay clear of these Roger, I asked the guy about buying the lot, how many did he have, are they all American oak? He didn't know and just guessed and ended up lying to me.

I suspect there "hot". :naughty: