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When to rack?

I have a BK Frech Merlot that is approaching the point at which the instructions say to bottle. To this point I have followed the directions fairly closely with the exception of adding 1oz oak cubes at each of the two rackings and skipping the sorbate addition. I plan to let this bulk age for about 3 months before bottling, I would let it go longer but it's for my Dad for xmas.

Should I rack when the kit says to bottle and let it sit until bottling or just let it sit w/o racking. There is a layer of sediment on the bottom of the carboy but I can't really tell how thick it is.

Thanks, Mark

Reply to
Mark G.
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Rack it. I always do one or two racking before I bottle. If you see any sediment after the racking, do it again about a week or two before you plan to bottle. Ed snipped-for-privacy@snet.net

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Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

WOWWW!

Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined. In any event that's good for me. I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV Riesling. Anyone made this one?

Mark

Reply to
Mark G.

Hi Mark,

Glad you are enojoying your wine, I'm new to all of this and will buy my first wine it tomorrow (Saturday) One quick question (sorry to sound dumb) but what exactly is racking, and how do you do it??

Many thanks

Matt

Reply to
M

Racking is transferring the wine from one container to another. You leave the sediment behind. Thee are tubes made for racking that you put in the bottom of the container and it will not disturb the gunk at the bottom 1/2" or so. -- Ed snipped-for-privacy@snet.net

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Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

Congratulations! You did not say which wine you made.

I do have a basic rule that I try not to violate. When the wine rates a WOWWW, it is time to start drinking it! If you want to bulk age longer, I would suggest you get seveal 1 gallon carboys, rack into them and then bottle the rest. That way, some is bulk aging and some is available to drink. Remember that some wine reachs a peak. If you wait past that peak it will only lessen in quallity.

Just a suggestion.

Ray

Reply to
Ray

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