As a vessel for transportation, the oak wine barrel has been used from Roman times (or earlier) until well into the last century, before being replaced by bottles, food grade tanks and advanced bladders filling entire shipping containers. The effects of oak on flavor, aroma and texture now appreciated by drinkers are by-products of the need to find suitable watertight containers. But today their use is more integral to the winemaking process, and the modern winemaker – budget notwithstanding – has an array of options with which to shape the character of the wines.