 The
Balázs brand represents the highest quality
Hungarian oak crafted into barrels by our master
cooper, who brings to bear state of the art
facilities and techniques as well as the
foundation of a centuries old Hungarian cooper
tradition.
Our master cooper, Mr. Balázs Nagy, is a well
known and respected figure among Hungarian
coopers. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Nagy has
visited and studied many of the largest
cooperages in the world. His expertise and
experience shone in the mid 1990s, as under his
leadership, one of Europe’s best equipped,
highest quality cooperages was built in
South-Western Hungary. Then in 2002, he set out
to top himself and found his own cooperage in
his home town of Botykapeterd, which became
fully operational in 2004.
Barrels manufactured by Mr. Balázs Nagy are
second to none in quality. In terms of
craftsmanship Balázs barrels can only be
compared to the highest quality French oak
barrels, as evidenced by the
feedback we
have been receiving from satisfied winemakers.
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 Once
assembled, the inside of the barrel is toasted
according to the winemaker’s specifications.
This toasting, also known as “second firing”, is
one of the most important processes in producing
a premium barrel. During toasting, various
components of the wood caramelize, thereby
developing the complex aromas and flavors that
will be imparted to the wine.
It is perhaps at this stage of the process that
Mr. Balázs Nagy’s experience is most apparent.
Using a fire made from the same air-dried
Hungarian oak as the barrels themselves, he
toasts each barrel to perfection. Not only is ha
able to maintain consistency in color, but just
as importantly in the impressive depth of his
toasting.
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