The different containers
Different ceramic compositions
The richness of ceramics lies in its diversity. Depending on the composition and firing, each ceramic type reveals distinct properties, offering winemakers a range of tools for refining their aging techniques. This section guides you through the different ceramic families used in our amphora manufacturing to help you make the most informed choice.
(Information provided by the University of Limoges)
Porous ceramics - Terracotta
Opaque shard
Earthy fracture
High porosity
Difficult enamel compatibility
Enamel firing temperature < biscuit firing temperature
Low deformation
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Firing temperature : 900 C° to 1050 C°
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Porosity : 8 to 30%
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Color : yellowish, red, brown
Porous ceramics - Earthenware
Opaque shard
Earthy fracture
High porosity
Difficult enamel compatibility
Enamel firing temperature < biscuit firing temperature
Low deformation
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Firing temperature : 1050 C° to 1200 C°
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Porosity : 5 to 15%
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Color : red, pink, beige, ivory
Vitrified ceramics - Stoneware
Low porosity
Deformation during firing
Sharp, brittle fracture
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Firing temperature : 1100 C° to 1350 C°
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Porosity : 0 to 6%
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Color : beige, ivory, brown
Vitrified ceramics - Porcelain
Low porosity
Deformation during firing
Sharp, brittle fracture
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Firing temperature : 1200 C° to 1400 C°
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Porosity : 0%
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Color : ivory, white
Refractory ceramics
High temperature resistance
Resistant to acid and base attacks
Thermal shock resistance
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Firing temperature : 1400 C° to 2000 C°
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Porosity : varied
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Color : varied
Special ceramics
Electrical resistance
Rustproof
Temperature and thermal shock resistance
Chemical resistance
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Firing temperature : 1400 C° to 3000 C°
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Porosity : varied
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Color : varied
Glossary
Clay
A sedimentary rock, often soft, which, when soaked in water, forms a plastic-like paste that can be shaped and hardens upon firing. When fired above 600°C, clay permanently transforms into ceramic.
Ceramists craft their works using clay. Today, few artisans source raw earth directly near their workshops. Most purchase clay bricks (5–10kg each) from suppliers who mix different types of clay in precise proportions—much like a recipe.
The terracotta and stoneware jars selected by V&T Amphores are handcrafted by artisans who source clay directly from local quarries near their workshops.
Ceramic
The term ceramics refers to both the craft of making fired clay objects and the material used to produce these items. It is a broad and versatile concept.
Technical ceramics
Processed clays made from various materials, additives, and enhancers. These ceramic pastes require less water, ensuring better handling for industrial production. Controlled properties such as density, porosity, and temperature resistance allow for precise manufacturing, making them stronger and more uniform. Less authentic materials, but ones that have their own properties and advantages. Stronger and more uniform, they allow for the integration of additional accessories in series, such as large and practical side drainage doors that facilitate vinification.
Natural ceramics
Terracotta
Raw earth shaped and fired above 600°C, representing the oldest fired art form. This technique allowed the first ceramic vessels to be created. Terracotta is fired at low temperatures (800°C to 1020°C).
Stoneware
A category of ceramics composed of silica-rich clay (over 60%), known as grésante clay. These sedimentary clays vitrify between 1100°C and 1350°C, resulting in dense, impermeable, and highly durable ceramics. Stoneware pottery does not require glaze or coating to be watertight.
Porcelain
Fired at high temperatures (1200°C to 1400°C), porcelain is a non-porous ceramic, primarily composed of kaolin. It contains no oxides, which are responsible for the color variations in other ceramics, giving porcelain its distinctive whiteness.
