Tonnellerie Quintessence e Tonnellerie Tremaux

Type of activity: barrique supplier

Getting Form

Two French companies that produce high quality barriques. The first, Tonnellerie Quintessence, is a cutting edge company that covers large volumes of commercial demand. The second, Tonnellerie Tremaux, managed by a single owner still loyal to tradition, who prefers to produce small quantities of barriques, but with a very tailor-made cut.

Interview with Remo Zerbini

When did you start collaborating with Farina?

For more than 10 years I have been supplying them with barriques, made by two major French companies, belonging to the same American multinational: Tonnellerie Quintessenze (Bordeaux) and Tonnellerie Tremaux (Beaune, Burgundy).

What's particular about the barriques chosen by Farina?

Both companies have a global vision on the wine on one hand, and on the other hand they customize it on the organoleptic side. They are able to build products that meet the customer's needs. Farina asks us and we try to satisfy their requests and we’re helped by the fact that in our field there’s a few of us doing it.

How are barriques made?

The ones for Farina are made of French wood and require first of all a long process that starts from the cutting of the plants, to the transformation per detachment (of the trunk in staves) up to a long period of maturation lasting around 3 years. At that point the staves are adapted for the construction of a wooden container. In the case of Farina, the barrique is moved and the chemical structure of the wood is modified to extract hints that will unify the wine, increasing its complexity and giving it greater harmony.

What adjective would you use to describe Farina's barriques?

Less inclusive possible. We tend to give tannins and complexity without covering the fruity characteristics of Farina’s wines.

What is the role of the barrique in the creation of the wine?

The barrique plays a fundamental role, bringing micro oxygen and tannins into the wine, which are oxidizing and lengthen the life of the wine. Secondly, it brings the aromas to the wine, given by the toasting of the wood, but at the same time it does not cover the characteristics of the wine and make it more complex and interesting. The work of the barrique is a historical work. Although there is so much technology nowadays, they are still built like the Gauls used to do 2000 years ago.

What is your opinion about the company?

It's a great company, virtuous and well-directed. It has a beautiful view of the world and this thanks to the fact that it is not closed within the walls of Valpolicella and Italy. The world of wine is constantly changing and it is right to be interested in the changes that happen in the world.

- Interview with Remo Zerbini