What's that smell?

[Comet in TX]

This probably isn't an emergency, but can someone tell me what range of smells is normal during the primary fermentation of wine?

I am about 4 1/2 days into primary fermentation of my 1st kit, the WE Australian GSM. Everything was cleaned and sanitized and I'm positive I didn't go adding anything mistakenly - just the bentonite, juice, oak and yeast. I used regular tap water. Fermenting temperature has been hovering b/t 72 and 74 F. My 1st hydrometer reading was 1.088.

I was really impressed when I poured the juice how much it smelt like wine.

I don't know what it smells like now, but it's nothing I've smelt before! I've baked bread, so I know what yeast smells like, and this isn't it. The smell does seem to have diminished some today.

Anyway, I don't know that I'm actually worried b/c I don't see what I could have screwed up this early in the game, and I was prepared for yeast smells, but this is something else. Maybe sweet/sour, like citrus, but not vinegar?..........

Appreciate the thoughts..

 

[Goodfella]

Relax.... I think everything will be OK.


Keep us posted

 

[ibglowin]

Nothing like the smell of newborn ethanol in the morning I always say!

 

[grapeman]

You are just smelling the normal smells of fermentation going on. The range of smells is quite large and many of us love it! During active fermentation, I love going into the winery in the moring and get greeted with it's robust aroma. Not to worry.

 

[uavwmn]

Hold on to your Falling Stars, Comet!!! It is the wonderful fermentation smells. It isn't always the yeast smell.

You are doing fine. Keep going and relax.

 

[Big Ike]

You are going to learn to love those smells... (your significant other may not).

 

[AlFulchino]

add to that thewide range of tastes that it will go thru

 

[Comet in TX]

Newbie grin. Alright, alright! I just wasn't prepared for a smell I wasn't even sure how to label.

I'm going to do my first racking today, should be interesting!

 

[ibglowin]

My significant has still not learned......

Oh well, at least I am in my own space now!

You are going to learn to love those smells... (your significant other may not).

 

[Wade E]

Even the same kit can smell different if done side by side, thats when you start to wonder but then it comes back around to smelling wonderful. Some wines can smell great through out a fermentation while another can really stink up the joint but never give up on a batch.

 

[Big Ike]

My significant has still not learned......

Oh well, at least I am in my own space now!

You are going to learn to love those smells... (your significant other may not).

Mike,

I don't have that nifty little office/winery/man cave that you've got going. I'm not sure how to get that built, but I'm still pondering.

In the meantime, everyone (my wife and two girls) gets to enjoy the "winery" as it progresses/processes.