Assouline Oak, Wine and Spirits: A Tale of Alchemy

Clothes do not make the man, but when it comes to wine and spirits, the cask is key. For centuries, the French company Charlois has worked in close connection with forests and oak, its expertise now extending far beyond its origins. Rooted in the Bertranges Forest, in the heart of France, Charlois crafts barrels and casks designed to accompany and reveal the finest wines and spirits. Far more than a simple container, the oak cask is a true instrument of maturation: It structures tannins, refines texture, and enhances aging potential, while encouraging a slower, more harmonious, and more stable aromatic evolution.

When wine is aged in oak, the wood enables gentle micro-oxygenation which stabilizes color and integrates tannins, bringing depth and balance to the final expression. Restoring and extending the life of a barrel may require replacing only a few staves, but creates a perfect balance between the power of old oak and the energy of younger wood. Re-charring a barrel reactivates the oak’s aromatic compounds, a crucial step in crafting the finest spirits.

From France to Scotland and the United States, this book, dedicated to His Majesty the Oak Tree, reveals how each barrel, through its origin, grain, toast, and history, contributes with finesse to the balance and complexity of exceptional red and white wines, champagnes, cognacs, bourbons, whiskies, and rums. Writer Thierry Dussard and photographer Christophe Deschanel traveled together to the seven locations featured in the book, uncovering the secrets of this patient and subtle craft. Their combined perspective sheds light on patient and exacting savoir-faire, in the service of excellence. With a preface by French chef Alain Ducasse and an afterword by French sommelier Éric Beaumard, Oak, Wine & Spirits: A Tale of Alchemy is a journey through the forest and what it has taught those who work with it: patience, resilience, and savoir-faire.