On Oct 28, 5:55 pm, Jumbalaya > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I received a 20L wine barrel as a gift & plan to use it soon. It's
> just like this one:
>
> http://morewinemaking.com/view_produ...SESSID=e3690d9...
>
> It came with a wooden spigot and spigot hole pre-drilled. Has anyone
> used one of these wooden spigots?
>
> Is it safe or could I come home to find a big ol' puddle of wine?
>
> Seems like you have to hammer it in but I wouldn't know how hard etc.
> Am I better off plugging the spigot hole with a cork and just
> siphoning out of the bung hole? Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thx,
>
> Ange

That's a pretty good price for a french barrel; that sounds like a top
of the line barrel. I wouldn't use the spigot either but I would try
to find an oak or silicone plug. If your barrel looks like that link
but isn't that link, you may have cause for concern. I have a 5
gallon untoasted barrel that is next to worthless. I hate everything
about it. It imparted a very green tannin to the wines stored in it.
Never store wine in an untoasted barrel.

Joe