Beverage infusion spiral and methods of making and using the same

A liquid may be aged and infused using a wooden infusion apparatus having grain oriented along a longitudinal axis of a rod. One preferred infusion apparatus comprises machining a grain oriented wooden cylinder into the shape of a spiral having a longitudinal central axis. A preferred method is disclosed for continuously machining wooden rods into spirals, and subsequently toasting them. Another infusion apparatus comprises a plurality of wooden discs connected by a longitudinal central axis in the form of a rod, the wooden discs which are toasted. The present invention allows for more control over the time required to properly age the wine and to impart the wood flavor by giving the producer more control over the amount of wood surface area that is exposed to the wine. The rate of infusion is increased substantially when the wood grain extends along the longitudinal axis of the infusion apparatus. The shape and size of the infusion apparatus may be customized to fit any container from a huge wine barrel to a small liquor bottle. Additionally, the infusion spiral may be connected to a lid or bung of a container, and may thereby be removed when desired by merely opening the lid or bung. The infusion spiral can be replaced, by this same manner, with a different type of wood infusion spiral or a fresher infusion spiral to enhance the flavor imparted to the wine without having to fish around in the container for the infusion spiral.