- 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 / sizes 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 |