PRODUCERS of tropical fruit wine producers in the Philippines will soon have access to quality yet affordable wine barrels for aging their raw fruit materials.
The Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI) said the fruit wine barrels will be made of wood from local tree plantation species and old, unproductive fruit trees.
The development of the local wine barrels were conducted by the DOST-FPRDI researchers in an effort to find cheaper alternatives to the white oak (Quercus alba), which is known worldwide as the best material for fermenting and ageing wine.
Presently, majority of local fruit wine producers still use plastic and glass containers to ferment and age their wines.
To assist the local producers and eventually boost their production, the agency is now pilot-testing the wine barrels which are made from three tree plantation species, like the big-leafed mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), mangium (Acacia mangium), and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and two fruit trees, namely: santol (Sandoricum koijape) and Indian mango (Mangifera indica).
The wine barrels were developed by FPRDI researchers to find cheaper substitutes to white oak (Quercus alba) which is known worldwide as the best material for fermenting and ageing wine.
“Most local fruit wine makers still use plastic and glass containers to ferment and age their wines, So we are happy that with our wine barrel technology, they can have access to a quality but affordable option. It’s almost like they’re using imported barrels but at a lesser cost, which is about three times cheaper,” says FPRDI engineer Caezar Cuaresma.
Because of this development, “several large distilleries and wineries in the country have already signified their interest in our technology.”
The wine aged in the local barrels has been rated “moderately acceptable” by expert tasters who assessed it for color, bitterness, sweetness, clarity, flavor, aftertaste and general acceptability.
The DOST-FPRDI emphasized that the local wood barrel technology will not in any way contribute to deforestation as it only utilizes wood from tree plantation species that are already old and unproductive fruit trees.
Meanwhile, the DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has already held an inception meeting for the project titled “Improvement and Semi-automation of the Furnace Type Dryer (FTD) for the lumber, bamboo and other raw materials of the forest-based industries.”
The project plays a significant role in the postharvest and processing of non-timber forest products (NTFP) such as bamboo, rattan, pandan, and other wood products.
With the increasing demand for the different NTFP, appropriate modifications on the current design of the FTD is necessary to make it more responsive to the needs of the furniture and handicraft industries.
Switching from manual to semi-automatic operation can prevent human errors such as improper or excessive fuel feeding and over spraying.
By optimizing the design of the FTD, essential factors such as the heating system, humidification, air circulation systems, and the kiln structure, will be improved./PN
