So I posted a quick question about my primary fermentation previously and now I am about to rack to secondary in 2-3 days so am trying to find out what things I need to add to help my muscadine must drop some of it's sediment as it seems to be fairly chunky. I plan to strain it through a mesh bag and press but am sure there will still be things leftover. I do have bentonite and some clearing agent but not sure how much of what to use for this 5 gallon batch. Do I add it right when I rack or wait some given time before adding. Also, since I already added k-meta/campden to the primary is it necessary to add more now or just keep it as is?
Sorry for so many questions but am trying to keep it simple and don't wanna screw this one up as it's my very first batch of ANYTHING. Thanks
When you say "secondary", I'll assume you mean the second stage of alcohol fermentation to get the wine dry.
Most paint stores and places like Home Depot sell paint strainer mesh bags in one gallon and five gallon sizes. You sanitize the bags, then put the wine in one of these (you should buy three or four because they can become completely clogged quickly). Squeeze all the wine out and into another bucket. Then pour the wine into a carboy container and add an air lock.
Let the wine continue to ferment until it stops. With a hydrometer, test that the specific gravity does not change for three days in a row. The small lees that will make it into secondary will settle to the bottom during that time.
After secondary, to another carboy you will rack the clean wine off the top of the sediment/lees; add stabilizers (Kmeta and possibly sorbate); and possibly clarifiers. At that point, the wine should be topped up and have an air lock installed to protect it from oxygen. The wine will eventually clear; how long it will take depends on whether or not you use a clarifier.
We can give you a play by play of how to do all this, but for your own good, it might be good if you get on the internet and read up on the whole wine making cycle from start to finish. This way you will have a good understanding ahead of time. Then, if you have specific questions, we can help.