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There has been some questions about the shelf life of sorbate. I came across this as I was looking to buy some.
Potassium Sorbate, granular, food grade. 200 grams (.44 lbs). A yeast inhibitor used to prevent further fermentation in wines with residual sugar. It doesn't kill yeast, but prevents them from dividing to produce new yeast cells. Nor does it inhibit the growth of malo-lactic bacteria. If a malo-lactic fermentation takes place after the addition of sorbates a distinct off-odor of geranium leaves will be produced. This problem can be forestalled if you maintain at least 50 ppm of free sulfur dioxide after sorbates are added to the wine. Normal usage is 1 to 1-1/4 grams per gallon of wine (=1/2 to 3/8 teaspoon per gallon). This is the equivalent of 200 to 250 ppm. Sorbic acid is not normally used in wine because of its limited solubility compared with the potassium salt. Potassium sorbate should be stored where it is dry and out of direct sunlight. Even with proper care shelf life is normally six to eight months. There is never any reason to add potassium sorbate to a dry wine.
Potassium Sorbate, granular, food grade. 200 grams (.44 lbs). A yeast inhibitor used to prevent further fermentation in wines with residual sugar. It doesn't kill yeast, but prevents them from dividing to produce new yeast cells. Nor does it inhibit the growth of malo-lactic bacteria. If a malo-lactic fermentation takes place after the addition of sorbates a distinct off-odor of geranium leaves will be produced. This problem can be forestalled if you maintain at least 50 ppm of free sulfur dioxide after sorbates are added to the wine. Normal usage is 1 to 1-1/4 grams per gallon of wine (=1/2 to 3/8 teaspoon per gallon). This is the equivalent of 200 to 250 ppm. Sorbic acid is not normally used in wine because of its limited solubility compared with the potassium salt. Potassium sorbate should be stored where it is dry and out of direct sunlight. Even with proper care shelf life is normally six to eight months. There is never any reason to add potassium sorbate to a dry wine.