fermentation question

[mixmasterroz]

I have 3 gallons of white wine. It's a little over 3 weeks old and the air lock is bubbling every 2 minutes or so. Do you think fermentation is done? I did rack it after the first week from a bucket to a carboy.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Mix masterroz, After 3 weeks, it should be done, but you need to check the wine with a hydrometer, anything else would be pure speculation.
A hydrometer is one of the most important tools that we can have in our arsenal.

 

[GreginND]

Agree with the pumpkinman. Need to check the density. But I would say it isn't finished if it is still bubbling. Some fermentations are slow. Depends on many factors; nutrients, temperature, yeast strain, etc.

 

[JohnT]

Mix masterroz, After 3 weeks, it should be done, but you need to check the wine with a hydrometer, anything else would be pure speculation.
A hydrometer is one of the most important tools that we can have in our arsenal.

I agree that (in most cases) three weeks is usually enough time for fermentation to complete, however this is not carved in stone.

A lot depends on the temerature and amount of sugar in your must. I know that a cold fermentation can last well beyond 3 weeks. As the others have said, get a hydrometer (they are cheap, usually about $8) and test it.

 

[mixmasterroz]

That'll work. I do have a hydrometer I just haven't checked the gravity since I initially racked it. At that time the hydrometer showed it under "wine". Next time I'll note the exact number. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[mmadmikes1]

Bubbling is no way to tell. Is could be just releasing C02. Rack it off the gross lees and let is go alone its merry way. Unless you are in a hurry(BAD WINE MAKER)then when you have same SG for 3 days, its finished fermenting