RESOLUTION OENO 3/2005

PIECES OF OAK WOOD

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

CONSIDERING Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Agreement of 2 April 2004 establishing the International Organisation of Vine and Wine,

UPON PROPOSAL of the Sub-Commission of the methods of analysis and appraisal of wines,

DECIDES to add the following monography to the International Oenological Codex:

REQUESTS that the works on evaluation of risk from contaminants must be developed for 2007 so as to set any limits

PIECES OF OAK WOOD

1.      OBJECT, ORIGIN AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

Pieces of oak wood used for winemaking and for passing on certain constituents to the wine in conditions set by regulations.

The pieces of oak wood must come exclusively from the Quercus genus.

They can possibly be left in their natural state or they can be heated to a low, medium or high temperature but they must not be charred including on the surface, nor be carbonaceous, nor friable when touched.

No compound should be added to them for the purpose of increasing their natural aromatising capacity or their extractible phenolic compounds.

Likewise, they must not undergo any chemical, enzymatic or physical treatment other than heating.

2.      LABELLING

The label must mention the varietal origin of the oak and the intensity of any heating, the storage conditions and safety precautions.

3.      DIMENSIONS

The dimensions of these particles must be such that at least 95% in weight be retained by the screen of  2 mm mesh (9 mesh).

4.      PURITY

The pieces of oak wood must not release any substances in concentrations which may be harmful to health,

5.      STORAGE CONDITIONS

The pieces of oak wood must be stored in sufficiently dry and odourless conditions free from substances liable to contaminate them.