So now that I've picked 100 lbs of strawberries I seem to be having some difficulty deciding which yeast to use. I was planning on two 5gl batches with different yeast and recipe for each. But, I need to save 40 lbs of berries for jam. This is my first fruit wine. I don't really want to cut back from 10 lbs /gal but I'm open for suggestions on what others would do with 60 lbs of fruit and yeast selection. Here's what yeasts I have on hand to pick from:
1. Lalvin ICV D-47 or EC-1118
2. Redstar Cotes des Blancs or Pasture Champagne (these two I use with my white wines)
3. Vinters Harvest CY17, MA33 or SN9
I ended up using the entire 100#'s of berries which ended up being 72#'s after tops removed and culling and also went picking for more to end up with a total usable fruit of 250#'s. I also decided on four different 5gal batches at 12.5#'s/gl. Same basic recipe except for the yeast selections and planned F-pac & backsweeting (which is were I am at now). A portion of my log below:
Fermintations started 28 May after 2 days of stable SG.
Batch 1: Starting SG = 1.070, red star pasteur champagne
Batch 2: Starting SG = 1.086, red star cotes des blancs
Batch 3: Starting SG = 1.080, vinters harvest MA33
Batch 4: Starting SG = 1.050, vinters harvest CY17
Racked to secondary glass on 6 June.
Batch 1: Finish SG = 0.996, acid = .7%
Batch 2: Finish SG = 0.996, acid = .5%
Batch 3: Finish SG = 0.998, acid = .6%
Batch 4: Finish SG = 1.000, acid = .6%
Second racking yesterday 9 July.
Batch 1: SG = 0.994, acid = .8%, temp = 73F, ph = 3.2
Batch 2: SG = 0.996, acid = .7%, temp = 73F, ph = 3.2
Batch 3: SG = 0.998, acid = .7%, temp = 75F, ph = 3.2
Batch 4: SG = 1.000, acid = .7%, temp = 73F, ph = 3.2
Flavor and smell is OK, should get better after F-pac. Sweetness is not where I want it but I intend on using the following formula I found for bench testing to determine amount of flavor and sweetener to use.
These conversions are all based on the number of drops in 50 ml samples.
drops added to sample x 1.5 = ml per 750 ml bottle
drops added to sample x 2 = ml per litre
drops added to sample x 9 = ml per gallon
drops added to sample x 45 = ml per 5 gallons
I also plan on sweetening one batch w/ honey per Luc's info:
"10% more honey as you would add sugar".
I did not include the additions of sulphite, sorbate, K-meta, tannin, acid blend, enzyme or nutrients. But I have the dates and dosages.
I would really like some feedback on what I have so far.