Even though pilot scale vinifications (from 10 to several hundred of litres) are often used for oenological experiments, they have not been well described. Consequently, few studies concerning the hydrodynamics in the tanks and the applicability of the results obtained at this scale are available. This article reviews these issues and is based on results obtained using 100 litres tanks equipped specifically to study liquid phase fermentations on the one hand, and red wine vinifications on the other.