Port Barrel leakage

[paulbreingan]

Hi
I am new to aging my port in a barrel, i have just bought a new barrel and followed all the instructions in how to prepare the barrel. i have filled it with water to swell the wood, which has worked very well, but since filling the barrel with port, it has been leaking very slowly from the bottom of the tap for about 2 days. Is there anything i can do, or will it eventually seal itself. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Paul

[Alex F]

I had the same problem. If it's leaking from the tap or where the tap is connected to the barrel, then there is a problem and you will probably have to send the barrel back to where it came from. Take a picture and email it to the barrel makers.

[paulbreingan]

Hi
Thanks for the info, i will email them with photos, in the mean time is there anything to be done. It the mean time is there anything to slow or stop the leaking, or should i remove the port. Also forgot to mention that it was not leaking at that spot when the barrel was filled with water.

Thanks
Paul

[Bigwun]

FWIW my barrel developed some slow leaks but they sealed themselves as the port dried up around the leak. My barrel is only 25L so that might effect the leak pressure.

Hmm, speaking of port I need to source some more, anyone got any tips in the greater Adelaide area? Seems a lot of wineries are not doing a bulk port anymore.

I really need to get a bigger barrel too - or less friends

[Gavin Trott]

FWIW my barrel developed some slow leaks but they sealed themselves as the port dried up around the leak. My barrel is only 25L so that might effect the leak pressure.

Hmm, speaking of port I need to source some more, anyone got any tips in the greater Adelaide area? Seems a lot of wineries are not doing a bulk port anymore.

I really need to get a bigger barrel too - or less friends

How greater is greater Adelaide??

My father in law just topped his up (its really quite delicious actually) recently and got the bulk port from Peter Lehmann Wines ... he's very happy, so perhaps worth a try?

Barossa Valley Tawny Port, can't be bad!

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