- Stave: narrow strip of wood that forms the sides of a barrel
- Head: flat circular top and bottom of the barrel
- Chime: edge of the barrel made up of the ends of the staves
- Hoops: metal parts around the barrel that hold the staves together
- Bilge: the widest part of the barrel
- Bung hole: hole in one of the staves used to fill up or empty the barrel
Wine Barrel Dimensions
The following are typical dimensions for the most common wine barrels. Each wine barrel will vary.
| 225 Litre Bordeaux | 300 Litre Cognac / Hogshead | 500 Litre Puncheon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head diameter | 56-60 cm | 63-76 cm | 79 cm |
| Bilge diameter | 68-72 cm | 70-77 cm | 93 cm |
| Height | 89-95 cm | 100-105 cm | 107-115 cm |
| Weight | 45 kg+ | 60 kg+ | 75-105 kg |
| Bung Hole diameter | 50 mm | 50 mm | 50 mm |