| A barrel is a hollow cylindrical container, usually made of wood staves and bound with iron
bands. Someone who makes barrels is known as a cooper.
A wooden barrel usually has a convex shape, bulging at the middle. This constant bulge makes it relatively easy to roll a well built wooden a barrel on its
side, changing directions with little friction. Barrels are used for the storage of
liquids, to ferment wine, and to age wine (notably brandy, sherry, and
port) and whiskey. Wine is said to be fermented "in barrel," as opposed to a neutral container such as a steel or concrete tank. The barrels used for this can be hundreds or even thousands of
gallons. |
