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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. |
