Definition: Méchage

This operation consists of burning a sulphur wick (brant, Dutch match) in empty barrels to sanitise the interior and prevent bacterial contamination and oxidation of the wine they will contain. This sulphurisation process, which produces sulphurous gas (SO2), also protects the wine from contact with the air in an empty barrel. It is important not to let any sulphur or its carrier fall into the wine.