France: Bordeaux

The barrique bordelaise, designated 225 l/59 gal for more than a century, is probably the most famous barrel of all and is used widely outside the region. It is about 95 cm/37 in high and the staves are only about 20 mm/0.8 in thick (although the export version may be a cm or two lower and have rather thicker staves). The traditional barrique, sometimes called the ‘château’ model, has a wooden crossbar at each head and both a top and a racking bung.

The tonneau, at 900 l/238 gal equivalent to four barriques, or 100 cases of wine, is still much used as a measurement by the Bordeaux trade, but this large cask no longer exists.