What does Stainless steel mean?

Stainless steel means the wine was fermented or aged in a steel tank, an airtight, neutral vessel that keeps fresh fruit and gives a clean wine.

Also known as: Steel tank, Stainless steel tank

Stainless steel means the wine was fermented, aged or both in stainless steel tanks. The steel tank is now the most common vessel in wineries around the world and became widespread in the 1960s and 1970s.

Steel is airtight and completely neutral. It lets in no oxygen and gives off no flavour, so the grape's own aromas and acidity are preserved. Wines from steel tanks therefore often come across as clean, fruity and fresh, with no notes of vanilla or toast.

A big advantage is temperature control. Many tanks have cooling jackets in which cold water or coolant circulates, so fermentation can be kept cool and even. Cool fermentation preserves fruity and floral aromas, which matters for white wines such as sauvignon blanc and riesling. Steel tanks are also easy to clean.

Steel tanks are used for most fresh white and rosé wines but also for many reds. Some producers ferment in steel and then age in barrel, or blend wine from both. That a wine is made in steel therefore says something about its style, not its quality.