The Use of Oak on American Wines

Oak barrels, or sometimes oak in other forms on cheaper wines, is prevalent. Is the use of oak always a good thing? Below is a link to a story about a winery in Lodi, California not using oak at all. The most interesting part on what oak does and why it's used is in the section titled, "How and Why Oak Became Part of the American Palate." A fascinating read that includes theories on why so many wines taste the same and even how wines have lost their varietal character.

From Lodi Wines Blog