LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE WINE TANK: WINEMAKING THROUGH SPHERICAL GEOMETRY
Three fundamental properties explain why spherical concrete helps Galileo produce cleaner, purer and more expressive wines. Here is the data.
THERMAL INERTIA SUPERIOR TO TRADITIONAL CONTAINERS
Galileo lightweight concrete achieves a thermal resistance of
0.17 m2.K/W, comparable to oak and significantly higher than stainless steel. After alcoholic fermentation, a Galileo tank holds at 24.3°C while stainless steel has already dropped to 20.6°C within 24 hours (cellar at 18°C).
This residual heat can be put to work: it promotes the onset of malolactic fermentation or enhances the extraction of phenolic compounds from the grape marc.
Less external temperature control, less energy consumed.
(m2.K/W)
Source: Galileo technical data
Temperature evolution after alcoholic fermentation
Theoretical calculation. Constant cellar temperature of 18°C, initial wine temperature of 25°C.
Source: Galileo technical data
NATURAL MICRO-OXYGENATION:
0.7 MG/L ON AVERAGE
The concrete’s micro-roughness delivers an average oxygen input of 0.7 mg/L, only during filling. Compare this to the 12 to 15 mg/L per year released by a new oak barrel. The ageing profile is clearly reductive.
Less oxidation. Varietal aromas are fully preserved without masking or deviation.
Less sulphur. Wine stability is achieved without excessive SO₂, producing cleaner wines that respect their origin.
More time for balance. The slow evolution protects freshness and refines the tannic structure.
SPHERICAL GEOMETRY:
NATURAL LEES CONVECTION
The spherical shape generates natural convection movements that homogenise the juice without mechanical intervention. Aroma extraction is gentle, tannin integration is harmonious, and the natural wine structure is preserved.
The sphere also reduces the contact surface area by 20% compared to a cylinder of the same volume. Less surface exposed, fewer uncontrolled thermal variations.
For rotating tanks (G8R, G15R), full rotation allows lees resuspension without opening the tank and without a pump. The wine’s exposure to oxygen is minimal.
GALILEO, STAINLESS STEEL, OAK: A TASTING COMPARISON
Hover over the red points to compare tasting scores
Galileo tanks stand out for fruit preservation, freshness and roundness, while oak delivers more structure and stainless steel a more neutral profile. A more distinctive terroir expression.
THERMOREGULATION INTEGRATED INTO THE WALL
Available as an option on the G15 and G30, and standard on the G15R.
Galileo tank models can be used for both winemaking and maturation across all types of still wines.
Delivery lead times are generally around 70 days for all our tank models.
Yes, though lifespan will depend on the reduction in wall thickness caused by successive descaling operations.
