Wayne wrote:
> Does this mean that bulk aging in plastic water bottles could be a good
> thing? I'm new at winemaking, and it seems that every time I've read
> anything regarding bulk aging in plastic water jugs, there is always a
> warning that says something to the effect that although no one has
> documented evidence, plastic may be gas permeable, so use it at your own
> risk.


There is scientific evidence of plastic's gas permeability. It is jsut
tied up in scientific literature that is not so easy for a non-chemist
to understand (or even find).

One thing to remember, gas exchange through the airlock is much faster
than gas exchange through the plastic (even glass is permeable to gas
on an infantessimal level).

of course, gas exchange through wood is much much faster than that.
You will not replicate barrel ageing in a plastic or glass carboy, as
far as micro oxygenation is concerned.