I have one of the last of the CC Showcase Red Mtn. Cabs currently brewing, but I have a small problem.
I pitched yeast on this on 12/6/15, and moved to "secondary" on 12/14/2015. In my estimation, it is time to rack off the fine lees, add k-meta (and possibly fine and degas) for bulk aging. However, I do not have an empty carboy. Moreover, I am leaving town for two weeks. Ordinarily, I would bottle my oldest wine, and use that carboy, but I simply do not have the time to bottle before leaving.
As I see it, I have two choices: (1) add k-meta and leave the wine on the fine lees, or (2) rack wine into bucket, add k-meta, then rack back into carboy (and optionally degas and fine).
Which do you suppose would be less likely to harm this wine?
I pitched yeast on this on 12/6/15, and moved to "secondary" on 12/14/2015. In my estimation, it is time to rack off the fine lees, add k-meta (and possibly fine and degas) for bulk aging. However, I do not have an empty carboy. Moreover, I am leaving town for two weeks. Ordinarily, I would bottle my oldest wine, and use that carboy, but I simply do not have the time to bottle before leaving.
As I see it, I have two choices: (1) add k-meta and leave the wine on the fine lees, or (2) rack wine into bucket, add k-meta, then rack back into carboy (and optionally degas and fine).
Which do you suppose would be less likely to harm this wine?