Please help a newbie. I have three 5 gal. glass carboys of wine (merlot, cab. sav. and cherry) made from concentrate ready for a final rack before bottling. I started these batches in Jan. of this year. I have oak chips that were purchased at a wine supply store. The question is, do I add the oak chips now and for how long? OR, Should I not add the chips at all? Thank You.
If you like oak, add them. I like a lot of oak in my reds but I added some to my last batch of cherry and did not like the result. Then that is a personal matter.
Current wisdom says that the earlier you add the oak the better. Many add it during primary or secondary or both. Others add it during bulk aging. I tried some that red that had been bulk aging for 2 years and decided it needed oak so I added it then. It just means that it will need to bulk age some more.
Final rule: It is never to early and it is never too late. ;o)
Ray
It would have been better to have gotten the oak in earlier, but now is still OK. Cab & Merlot yes; cherry no (oak).
Tom S
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