Bad start to strawberry wine

I am finally getting back into beer/winemaking after a several year break. In the past I have made strawberry wine every summer from locally picked strawberries. I decided to do so again this year and picked 15 pounds of strawberries to use for three gallons of must. Here is where things start to fall apart. As I said, it has been a few years since I made anything, so I am a little rusty. I mistakenly added 3 tsp of potassium metabisulphate vice 3 tsp of a solution. I realized my mistake pretty quickly as my nose began to burn and my bright pink must turned a dull pink/gray. In an attempt to save my wine, I stirred vigorously over the next few days. I did it 6 times, each time 4-5 minutes. My thought was I could get some of the sulphites out in gaseous form. I did smell a lot of sulfur, but don't have any way to test the levels. While I was stirring, I made a starter using some of the boiled and cooled must and EC-1118. I pitched the yeast and within 12 hours, the lid of my bucket showed a little swelling. 12 hours later I had slow bubbling. I then moved my bucket into the cellar. I knew the cooler temperatures would slow down fermentation, but they completely stopped the fermentation. I checked the S.G. today and it hasn't changed. I moved the primary to a warmer area (70 as opposed to 60-64) but I am not seeing any activity in my airlock. What do you guys think? Have I ruined it? Any recommendations on how to proceed or what to try next? Thanks in advance.

Bryan

Reply to
Bryan M. Everitt
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I would say this is past saving. 1/4 tsp sulfite powder gives you about

80ppm for 3 gals, so at 3 tsps, you've got close to 1000ppm in there. No amount of stirring will reduce this to normal levels, and your yeast won't take off in such adverse condition. You could take out the sulfite by chemical means using hydrogen peroxide, but I'd think at these levels you'd end up with something unpalatable no matter what.

You could perhaps freeze it and then use in small amounts in making smoothies or such to avoid complete waste.

Pp

Reply to
pp

Oh no, I was hoping for some magical way to click my heels three times and save my wine. But I expected your answer. Thanks for the response, I guess you live and you learn. Good idea on freezing it. It certainly tastes fine, just won't ferment. Thanks again.

Bryan

Reply to
Bryan M. Everitt

Bummer, I am doing my first gallon of Strawberry, and so far, I've got it ok, I think. For yours - maybe if it tastes good... save it for topping next time? or add vodka until you get the % you want, and drink it gray. :*) ....or red coloring, vodka, and well, this is turning into bad advice. smile. Never mind.

DAve

Reply to
Dave Allison

Reply to
Bryan M. Everitt

It might still make a decent strawberry jelly... i like wine jellies. Gene

Reply to
gene

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