RJ Spagnols Bulk Aging - Newbie Question

[mjenkins]

I have made a couple of kits in the past that have turned out pretty well. Now I am trying the Spagnol's Barbaresco kit. I would like to bulk age this kit but want to make sure I don't make a mistake. My understanding is that I would follow the kit instructions as usual up until the bottling and corking instructions.

Instead, after day 42 I would rack the wine into a new carboy, add some potassium sulphite and then attach the bung and airlock. Set the carboy in my cellar for 6 months and then bottle and cork normally.

Is that about it?

What is the best temperature for bulk aging a wine like this?
Does it make sense to put an oak spindle into the carboy while doing the bulk aging?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Tom]

After 3 months I would add 1/4 tsp of potassium metabisulfite. Mix it in a small amount of water and add. Keep it at a constant temp. You can add oak but have you tasted it yet? Remember taste,taste, taste you are making wine to YOUR taste. If you feel it needs more oak add it.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[mjenkins]

Thank you for the response.

I was planning to put 1/4 tsp of potassium metabisulfite in when I rack it into the carboy for aging. Are you saying to add an additional 1/4 tsp after 3 months? Or do you recommend waiting to add it until it has aged for 3 months?

Thank you again!
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[Tom]

Add 1/4 tsp every 3 months from the time you add it.

So, if you add 1/4 tsp before aging (you said 6 months) in 3 months add again and when you bottle in another 3 months add 1/4tsp again.

 

[mjenkins]

Thank you for the help!

 

[IQwine]

Tepe, when adding the 1/4 tsp ...... are you stirring it in or just pour in and reset airlock?

And/Or do you rack at each of the 3 months, too?

Thanks

 

[Tom]

You can do both. If you see more sediment then rack. If not just add and shake the carboy a little.

 

[vcasey]

I will be starting that kit this weekend. Sounded to good to pass up. I have not decided to add more oak yet but chances are I will since I like oak and there never seems to be enough in these kits. Just follow the directions everyone has given you and wait and taste before you consider adding more oak. Also if you decide to add more oak start tasting at least 6 weeks after adding so you don't over do it.
VC