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Re: Total SO2

Is total SO2 different from the total ppm of SO2 that I add to my wine? I

> know there is some SO2 created by yeast during fermentation, and that would > need to be accounted for although I think it's a fairly small amount, but > otherwise isn't is just the total of the free and bound SO2? So if I keep > track of my SO2 additions, wouldn't I know the total SO2 without having to > measure it? > > Thanks for clarifying this. > > Ed

Hi Ed,

In wine, SO2 exists as bound SO2 and free SO2. The free SO2 exists in three forms, as SO2 gas, as bisulfite (HSO3-) and as sulfite (SO3--). During fermentation, SO2 gas is blown off into the air. In addition, some of the sulfite combines with hydrogen peroxide (while protecting the wine from oxidation), and sulfuric acid is formed. So, the total amount of SO2 in a wine is _not_ the sum of the SO2 additions.

lum

Reply to
Lum
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Lum,

I appreciate the explanation - it makes a lot of sense. So it seems that I should assume that the total SO2 will be less than the actual additions, although to a degree that's not very predictible. Other than meeting government limitations on SO2 additions in a commercial winery, is there any compelling reason for a home winemaker to worry about measuring total SO2 (I already understand the need to measure free SO2)?

Thanks,

Ed

Reply to
Ed Marks

Nope. I know lots of comerical winemakers who don't ever measure it.

Dave

Reply to
David C Breeden

None that I am aware of, home winemakers are only concerned with protecting the wine. Regards, Joe

Reply to
Joe Sallustio

I do testing for several small, local wineries Ed and I have never been asked to measure "total SO2." lum

Reply to
Lum

Thanks to everyone who responded. At least now I won't ever feel compelled to get the apparatus needed to determine total SO2. I can save that $$ for more grapes!

Ed

Reply to
Ed Marks

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