I got my hands on 2 french oak barrels. 60 gallons each. They look good, smell good and have had nothing in them but a Shiraz / Syrah. It has been a few years since holding wine, but got them both to seal. My plan with one is to fill with a high abv Irish Red, wait a year and periodically remove and replace 5 or so gallons.
Don't know anything about sanitizing the barrels, so my question is how stupid is it to just go for the gusto and do it without extensive treatment?? I figure the worst that will happen will be some sort of a weird sour. Anyone have any easy quick treatments for a couple of really nice barrels? I'm up to 35 gallons of the Irish Red, so the clock is ticking.
Don't know anything about sanitizing the barrels, so my question is how stupid is it to just go for the gusto and do it without extensive treatment?? I figure the worst that will happen will be some sort of a weird sour. Anyone have any easy quick treatments for a couple of really nice barrels? I'm up to 35 gallons of the Irish Red, so the clock is ticking.