Few easy question from a beginner

Jan 20, 2005 3 Replies
R

I recently racked several small batches of wine and had a few questions.


  1. When I added capmpden tablets I didnt do my research regarding using them and just crushed them and added them to the must. Now I have some floating chunks of campden tablet that wont dissolve. Will these eventually dissolve or do I have to filter it out? Next time they'll be dissolved properly in water before being added, live and learn.


  1. Is head space really that big an issue for reddish wines that will not age longer than 3 months? On one carboy I have a mere 3-4 inches and the other a good 6 inches. When I racked into these carboys I filled them with CO2 and again purged them once ready to let them sit.



Thanks


Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
R

I am not sure they will ever really disolve properly. If not, don't worry about them, they should be easy to filter out with any kind of filter at next racking. They will not hurt anything.

The danger of head space comes from the O2 in the air. If you really purged them with CO2 then it will not be a problem.

Ray

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
T

Use potassium metabisulfite instead. Make a 20% solution and use it fresh.

That's true as long as you purged _all_ the air AND sealed the containers _completely_ airtight. The problem is, CO2 is soluble in wine. After gassing, the CO2 dissolves in the wine, creating a partial vacuum in the container. The vacuum can suck air in past an imperfect seal, thus enabling spoilage organisms to grow on the exposed surface.

Topping up prevents such problems. Don't neglect to sulfite the wine too.

Tom S

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
B

Wouldn't the wine already be at it's CO2 saturation from the fermentation process?

Bob

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required