Alcohol percentages
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sour_grapes
Victim of the Invasion of the Avatar Snatchers
There is. It is called an ebulliometer. But they ain't cheap!
You can also send it to a wine lab it you really need to know.
And welcome to WMT!
There is also a tool called a vinometer. However ... don't waste your money. I seriously doubt you'll find anyone on this forum to recommend it. The readings can differ widely from the calculated ABV.
I mention this solely so no one wastes their money.
I mention this solely so no one wastes their money.
http://valleyvintner.com/Tips&Links/MeasuringAlcohol.pdf here is a method using narrow range hydrometer. used this method versus a ebvulliometer for a project in ours wine club and variance was less that .05%
sour_grapes
Victim of the Invasion of the Avatar Snatchers
Interesting.
On that page, it says to use "Narrow Range Hydrometer - 0.990 to 1.120." I would imagine that the 1.120 figure is a typo. Probably they meant 1.020?
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I've never done this, since I don't own a refractometer, but you might be able to come close, if the wine is dry. Read the final refractormeter value and use the excel spreadsheet backwards, as in it gives you a corrected Final SG based on knowing the beginning SG. So you should be able to come close to the beginning SG know your final SG.
to measure the abv before fermentation Use a brix refractometer. I have one and it will also help you to determine when your grapes are ready for harvest. Two things to know is your brix and the ph of your wort to get the most out of your wine or wash.
cenk57
Junior
A refractometer is more of a "field tool". It is used to measure the brix level in grapes in the field to determine when to harvest, among other variables. It can also be used to measure your must before yeast is added. However, a refractometer is not accurate once fermentation begins. The alcohol in the liquid will throw it off significantly and the equations for compensation are very complex and still not very accurate.
If you can get more of the same juice you started with, you can take the SG of that. That will give you a round about figure to start with. If not, like sour_grapes said, an ebulliometer (expensive, over $1000) or send it to a lab are options.
If you can get more of the same juice you started with, you can take the SG of that. That will give you a round about figure to start with. If not, like sour_grapes said, an ebulliometer (expensive, over $1000) or send it to a lab are options.
