American oak
American oak, botanically also called Quercus rubra, is a type of wood used for the production of oak barrels. It is particularly used in barrique production. Oak comes primarily from the eastern United States, particularly Pennsylvania and Minnesota. It is harder than others and gives the wine more intense vanilla aromas than European woods. In production, American oak is easier to process into barrels. The wood can be optimally used for the aging of flavor-intensive wines, such as those made from Shiraz grapes. Due to the coarser grain and the substances contained in American oak, South African wines aged in such barrels often have a slightly sweet vanilla flavor.