The HoseMaster’s Comprehensive Guide to Wine

And wood also breathes, though its breathing is rather labored because the barrels are smoky. Most of the barrels are made from French oak. The oak from France is preferable to, say, American oak because when it comes to nuance and flavor, as with everything else, France surrenders easily.

via HoseMaster of Wine™: The HoseMaster’s Comprehensive Guide to Wine 2.

I forgot to post this when the source article appeared—just found it in my drafts folder.