Definition: borsari

Invented in 1874 by Zurich wine merchant Johann Caspar Leemann and Giacomo Borsari from Ticino, concrete vats (better known as borsaris) gradually became widespread in wineries, replacing or complementing wooden vats. Easier to maintain, making maximum use of cellar space due to their shape, and minimising wine losses due to evaporation, borsaris offered advantages in terms of rationalisation in the context of the modernisation and rapid expansion of vineyards that took place during the first half of the 20th century.
Stainless steel and other synthetic materials are now replacing concrete, which nevertheless still remains in use.