Definition - What does Oak Chips mean?
Oak chips are used to give wines a unique flavor. Depending upon the type of oak and wine, a wide range of complexities can be added to the wine to develop its flavor and character; oak additives, like oak chips and liquid oak, are cheaper alternatives for this as opposed to using oak barrels.
Oak can add flavors ranging from vanilla and coconut to nutmeg and cinnamon. It complements the aroma and taste of wine and improves stability in the wine's clarity and color. Oak induces a low level of oxidation in the wine, which helps to soften harsh characteristics that are mostly associated with younger wines. This oxidation benefits the aging process and helps in safe storage.
WineFrog explains Oak Chips
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The optimal proportion for adding oak chips is 3 grams per liter. But it can vary from wine to wine and from one oak variety to the other. Since you can't remove the oak but can easily add as much of it as you want, it is better to add oak in small quantities and determine which amount works out best. Winemakers often keep a logbook to track the time and amount of chips added so that they can duplicate or adjust future batches of wine. Tasting the wine can begin two to three days after adding the oak chips.
One of the drawbacks of using oak chips is that it is difficult to remove