What kind of casks were traditional Italian red wines aged in?

Traditional Italian red wines were commonly aged in large old wood casks, known as botti or grandi botti. These casks can hold hundreds of liters and are typically made from oak. The use of large casks is significant because they have a more subtle influence on the wine compared to small barrels. This allows the wine to mature while minimizing the extraction of oak flavors, preserving the varietal characteristics and regional expressions of the grapes.

Large casks also encourage slow and gentle micro-oxygenation, which is beneficial for the aging process and contributes to the wine's complexity over time. These vessels have often been used for generations within families and wineries, fostering a sense of tradition and continuity in Italian winemaking practices.

The other options, such as small new oak barrels, concrete tanks, and glass demijohns, have their own merits in wine production but do not reflect the traditional practices for aging Italian red wines. Small new oak barrels impart stronger oak flavors and tannins, while concrete tanks allow for fermentation and aging with a different texture, and glass demijohns are not commonly used for aging wine in the traditional context.