Half of the one million oak barrels produced worldwide each year are made in France. French cooperage is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the Gauls and plays a key role in the excellence of the world's finest wines. Choosing the right oak trees, cutting, seasoning and charring the wood are all delicate stages carried out by the cooper to create a made-to-measure oak barrel. We take a closer look at this expert craftsmanship.