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.
Newbie help - Oak or not??
Jul 28, 2004
2 Replies
First reply
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.…
Read the full replyIf 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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