Aging

[Flafemina]

I bottled my wine 30 days ago and now I want to empty 9 bottles into an oak barrel I recently received. Is this a good idea? Can I just pour the wine into the barrel using a funnel?

 

[WI_Wino]

I would siphon rather than poor. Less exposure to oxygen that way.

Also, tell us more about the barrel. New, used, toasted, etc. Make sure it is super clean first!

 

[Tess]

Id never open a bottle already bottled unless I was gonna drink it!! Dont listen to me though. There are to many experts here that will give you the correct answer just wait for them before you do

 

[Tess]

Sorry WI wino, I posted before I saw your post

 

[Flafemina]

Old used barrel from a previous wine maker. Only used once then left to die. I filled it with water and k-meta let it sit for 2 days now I filled it with clean water and letting it sit till I decide. Maybe just use it next year? Should I leave it filled with something till I use it? I am nervous to lose any of my wine if the barrel doesn't work right. Thanks for your input.

 

[WI_Wino]

Search for my "untoasted oak barrel" thread (can't link to it from my phone). I think I documented fairly well my endeavor to use an oak barrel my father purchased and then neglected. Last night I racked the wine I had in there out to a carboy and surrendered. Hopefully your barrel is in better shape...

EDIT - here's a link: http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f74/untoasted-oak-barrel-37360/

 

[Rocky]

Flafemina, I would urge caution in using an old barrel that you got from someone else. I would certainly let it sit more than two days with k-meta solution in it, probably more like two weeks. I would also make sure I used a strong k-meta solution (at least 3 T per gallon of water) to do it and rinse it well afterward. The up side is that you are only talking about 9 bottles. Is this a 1.75 gallon barrel or some such thing?

 

[GaDawg]

I only use a cork screw to aid in drinking
If you have an empty barrel, maybe it's time to start more wine::

 

[robie]

Good advice from Rocky.

9 bottles? This must be a very small barrel - 6 liters. Just make sure you fill the barrel.

Yes, you can do it, but you likely will need to add some more k-meta. The barrel will deplete your free SO2 very quickly. Add it when you pour in the wine.

In that small of a barrel, the oaking will take place very quickly. I would sample the wine for proper oak about every 4 days.

 

[Flafemina]

Great information thank you. It's a very small barrel less than 2 gallons. So no issues pouring the wine in using a funnel. I don't have a siphon to fit.