stainless steel tanks
Large, enclosed containers used by modern wineries for the fermentation and aging of wine. stainless steel tanks are extremely efficient and cost-effective. Most are double-jacketed, circulating coolant between the inner and outer walls. This allows winemakers to adjust the tank’s temperature so that they can manage the fermentation speed. stainless steel tanks are extremely easy to clean and very sanitary, both desirable attributes in winemaking. Because stainless steel is a relatively neutral material that doesn’t impart flavors, the tanks preserve the fruit’s fresh flavors. Some tanks have automated pump-over systems or mechanical punch-down devices that enhance the winemaking process. Wineries rely on these tanks not only for the fermentation process but also for bulk storage and blending. Wines that don’t receive oak aging (such as many whites and some fruity reds) are typically kept in stainless steel tanks until bottling.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.