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Vinometer - or what to use to measure alcohol level

Hi, I have read most of this forum, and have learned a LOT. I am 4 days away from bottling my first Vintage Wine Kit (Shiraz). I sneaked a taste, and wow, it's great. I am trying to use a Vinometer to figure out alcohol levels, but can't seem to understand how to use it. I put funnel end up, put a little wine into it. When it reaches the bottom and a drop falls out, I turn the vinometer upside down and place on a flat surface. Suppose to show a "thermometer type" red indicate on the alcohol level. For a store bought that claims 13%, I'm reading 5%. But if I wait long enough, the red goes all the way down and onto the counter. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong? any web URLs that shows this better, I looked with Google and didn't find one.

thanks. DAve

Reply to
DAve Allison
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That is how I use mine... and I had no problems.

Did you read the directions that came with it?

DAve Allis> Hi,

Reply to
Fishhead

Reply to
DAve Allison

I just looked at my instructions. You are supposed to fill the cup all the way up Let the wine run through the meter for a few drops, there should be NO air in the thin part. Then flip over and watch it until it slows... If I remmeber mine kept going slow until it was empty.

Reply to
Fishhead

I had a similar experience with mine - always read off by 2% of what I expected, based on the sugar I started with. So I gave up on the vinometer, and if I've made a dry wine, I just figure from my starting Brix level what the alcohol level should be. Even if it's not bone dry, those small graduations on the vinometer will give me more error than my hydrometer.

But the way you're describing, that's the way I used mine.

Rob

Reply to
Rob

I don't have any trouble with mine but I had a cheap one that was terrible. Calibrate it against store bought wine. Your kit is higher than 5% if it tastes right.

I fill mine to 3/4 full, flip it over and let 6 drops drain. I read the bottom of the meniscus.

I clean it out with grain alcohol after each use, that is important. I also make sure it's completely dry before reusing.

Joe

Rob wrote:

Reply to
Joe Sallustio

Why not just use a hydrometer and do a start and end reading? This vinometer thing (not that I've ever seen one) seems to be a quick route to inaccuracy.

Reply to
Mike

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