[Mr Robusto]

When "racking" your wine, i assume that you leave the last 1/2-1" in the bottom of the carboy, so you do not transfer any sediment or such.


If you do this a couple of times and take samples for testing/tasting along the process, what do you use to "top" the carboy with?

[WineNewbie]

You could probably search the forum and find many answers on this one, but here are a few options:


1.) Top-off with a similar commercial wine (Red for Red and White for White)


2.) Top-off with water (although many feel this thins the wine out)


3.) Use sanitized marbles to displace the lost volume


4.) Rack to a smaller carboy, then rack anything that is left into a wine bottle or 2 to be used in subsequent rackings.


I usually take the 1st approach in using a similar wine. It's all personal preference.

[chevyguy65]

Im with WN.


Ive used #1 most of the time. But on the last kit the amount was so small I used water.It was an all juice kit (Fantasia) so I wasnt concerned.

[Wade E]

1st things first, some kits tell you to rack everything as some of the
clarifiers work better with more sediment. It really depends on which
clarier you are using.

I typically use method #1 myself also. After making wine for awhile you
will develope enough of your own wines to not have to buy commercial
and just open 1 of your own similiar wines to use and what ever is left
over, gulp!