I am making a couple of 6 gallon reds from kits (cellar craft international and Selection Estate series.) Is it ok to rack them into 5 gallon carboys after primary and secondary so I won't have to top them off with water to make up for losses? I am concerned that water would dilute them. I want full-bodied wines. thanks
It's perfectly fine to rack into smaller containers. In fact, that's how you're supposed to do it.
Carboys are cheap, so if you're doing a six gallon kit, you could get some 3 gallon carboys, as well as some 1 gallon carboys. I don't recall where I read it, but you can expect to lose about 10% of your wine at each racking. (On my first batch myself, so I'm giving you book knowledge, not real world experience!) If you have 6 gallons on lees, you'll rack 5+ gallons.
I'd rack to a 3 gallon carboy, and two one gallon carboys. As you keep racking, you could keep topping off with one of the one gallon carboys.
It's also ok to top off with a commercial wine that is close to what you're making. Better than water, or air. :)
Cheers, Will
international
Yes, of course. That's why there are so many different size carboys. I never top up with water.
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.