Aging

[Lilocsprings]

How long do you keep your wines in the Carboy to age?

 

[Johny99]

Depends on the wine and what you want. Whites, 6-24 months but varies a lot. Reds, 1 to 3 years, also depends a lot on the wine.

If you tell us what you are making, might get more specific advice.

 

[Lilocsprings]

I am making strawberry, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, sour cherry, cranberry, grape and soon black cap. Thank you

 

[Johny99]

I've only made one fruit wine so I can't help you there. What is the grape?

 

[Lilocsprings]

Wild organic grape. Not sure which kind

 

[Johny99]

In that case, I'd make sure the meta levels are good, keep air away from it and age it till you like it. A taste every now and then will be your guide. When it is what you like, rack, bottle and enjoy.

 

[TonyR]

Its like Johny99 said about grape wine, the darker it is the longer it should age. With your fruit wines, I think alot depends on alcohol level an on sweetness. If high alcohol or you oaked it, age it to smooth out. If just a sweet fruit wine I wouldn't think you would get much out of long term ageing (over a year) but if you have the room, bottle and save some for a few years.

 

[Lilocsprings]

Any guidance on strawberry wine?

 

[bkisel]

Fruit/country wines a month, low end kits 2 months and high end kits 3 months. Bottle age the same number of months that I bulk age. I've started to stow away a bottle or two from each new batch for later consumption but the rest gets consumed pretty quickly. I'd bulk age longer ifin I were a younger man but being in my early seventies I'm more inclined to enjoy the fruits of my labor sooner than later. Wish I had started this hobby decades ago and not just 3 1/2 years ago.