French term for tonne or barrel, from which the term tonnellerie (cooperage), which is commonly used internationally today, is also derived. The etymology of the term goes back to the old French word "tonel", which means "large barrel". There is no internationally binding volume for the tonneau, as the capacity has been defined differently in different countries and regions.
In historical trade documents, the tonneau not only served as a unit of volume, but also as a tax base in the wine trade. In the Middle Ages, tonneau was a frequently used barrel type in France with a volume of 900 litres, which is mentioned in many old writings in connection with wine. It corresponded to the English tun (clay). Tonneau was also a ship's measure, comparable to today's gross register tonnes. The barrel was too large to be transported by ship, so it was divided into two douils of 450 litres each or four oxhofts of 225 litres each.
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The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena