Wine turning black

[Duster]

I racked my batch of Blueberry chancellor today (40 lbs blueberries and 70 lbs chancellor grapes pre 12 gallon batch) today and noticed during cleanup that as soon as any water contacted the wine it would turn almost black. Almost like I could see it instantly oxidize right before my eyes. I have not nor am I planing on adding any water to the wine so it may not be a big deal but I'm wandering if this is normal? Has anyone seen this before? I did not check the acid before pitching the yeast but I assume it was high since the PH was 3.2 right out of the press.

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

Could it be something is wrong with your water, maybe you have a high iron content or something unusual interacting with your wine. Maybe mix a little distilled and see if you get the same thing happen or not. Could just be a pH change when your wine hits the water? WVMJ

 

[Duster]

It's posable, this area does have high iron water. Ours is well water that is ran through a softener.
It's just odd that I have not seen this before but then again I make mostly fruit wines and not big reds.
I could care less if it is a water issue as long as the wine will be ok.

 

[Runningwolf]

Yes during clean up I see it all the time. No idea why it does.

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[Rocky]

Duster, I have seen a similar phenomena when I clean up but I always attributed it to the Oxyclean. I have not seen it with plain water. There might be a clue in the ingredients of OxyClean and what may be in your water.

 

[Duster]

Thanks Dan, I knew someone hear would have run across this before

 

[grapeman]

If you dilute it more, it will turn blue. GreginNd had a post on it months ago now. It is a chemical reaction with the water. I see it while cleaning up with many red hybrids.
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f19/dont-make-your-red-wine-blue-39844/

 

[Runningwolf]

What is really awesome is when I flush out my cartridge filter until it is completely clear. Then I run water with oxy-clean through it and the water comes out black for a gallon or two.

 

[Duster]

That's exactly what's happening. Very cool.

 

[wildvines]

Ya my easy clean does the same. It's just like oxy clean

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

Duster, is it just plain tap water that is making it change or is there some cleaner invovled? Its not really clear in your first post if its just your water or cleaner or you dumped cleaner in the sink and then some water and wine? WVMJ

I racked my batch of Blueberry chancellor today (40 lbs blueberries and 70 lbs chancellor grapes pre 12 gallon batch) today and noticed during cleanup that as soon as any water contacted the wine it would turn almost black. Almost like I could see it instantly oxidize right before my eyes. I have not nor am I planing on adding any water to the wine so it may not be a big deal but I'm wandering if this is normal? Has anyone seen this before? I did not check the acid before pitching the yeast but I assume it was high since the PH was 3.2 right out of the press.

 

[Duster]

Just plain tap water. It is exactly like the video that greaginND posted that grapeman referenced.
I think we got this one figured out. Now that I feel assured the wine is fine it's just plain cool!

 

[Duster]

Ok even cooler
After 3 weeks of cold crashing at 40*F it don't change colors any more.


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[grapeman]

Now you can have another glass of wine in that special glass you have to celebrate!