De Bourgogne Barrels offer refined French oak options
De Bourgogne Barrels from AP John Coopers offer refined French oak options for Australian winemakers. Quercus petraea oak is sourced from the Allier and Central French forests, milled, and seasoned for 36 months in Burgundy. The oak is imported into Australia, meeting stringent quarantine requirements and the full barrel manufacture takes place in the Barossa.
These barrels have Burgundian hallmarks with an Australian focus to provide local winemakers with control over texture, balance and shape.
The De Bourgogne portfolio includes two grain specifications, Medium Fine Grain (MFG) and Fine Grain Select (FGS) barrels, providing two distinct styles. These represent an outcome-driven approach to barrel selection – allowing winemakers to make their barrel choice based on stylistic intent, rather than relying on origin or toast level.
Mid-palate volume and integration
The De Bourgogne Medium Fine Grain (MFG) barrel is designed to build volume. Generous mid-palate development benefits from a round tannin profile and a softly textured profile.
With AP John’s proprietary toasting program, as well as a water-bent option, the MFG supports sweet spice expression, subtle almond meal and roasted cashew complexity, and enhanced clarity of primary fruit.
The result is a style that builds palate weight without overt oak influence, making it well suited to both modern and more classical winemaking approaches.
The MFG performs across a broad range of applications, particularly where mid-palate development and early integration are key objectives. For example, Chardonnay styles requiring texture and weight without excessive toast; Pinot Noir programs focused on balance and approachability; varietals that require mid-palate generosity, where oak is used as a structural tool rather than a dominant flavour contributor.
Structure, focus and length
As the tighter grain option, the De Bourgogne Fine Grain Select (FGS) barrel is tailored for structure, definition and length. This barrel delivers a more savoury, refined tannin profile, increased palate focus and line, extended length, and persistence.
The tighter grain impacts oxygen transfer and tannin release, resulting in a slower, more controlled evolution in barrel and a wine with greater precision through the finish.
The FGS is particularly suited to medium to full-bodied wines requiring structure and definition; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay programs requiring focus and precision; wines destined for longer élevage, where tannin integration and structure over time are critical.
Availability
The De Bourgogne Medium Fine Grain and Fine Grain Select barrels are available in barrique (both 225L and 228L), hogshead and puncheon formats.
Winemakers can work directly with the AP John team to align barrel selection with varietal, vintage conditions and stylistic objectives.
About AP John Coopers
Founded in the Barossa in the late 1880s, AP John Coopers supplies premium French and American oak barrels to wineries across the globe. The business continues to evolve its range through a combination of traditional craftsmanship, long-term oak supply partnerships and modern coopering innovation.
