Cellar Craft Fermentation Temp

[Sudz]

I've been making kit wines for several years. I've always recognized that fermentation will raise the temp slighty, However, I just started a CC Old Vine Zin which ready took off. I ferment in an ambient of 72 - 74 F* which may, based on my prior experience result in the must getting to around 76 - 77 F* .

I use the stick on thermometers on my fermentors so I was surprised to see my Zin go past the 78 max these register. It got significantly warmer than any batches I had previously made. My guess was somewhere in the low 80's.

Has this trashed my Zin?

 

[Rocky]

You are fine, Sudz. You will see the temperature come down as fermentation slows.

 

[ibglowin]

Agreed, sounds like you had a bunch of happy yeast. With fresh grapes you can easily get into the low to mid 80's if conditions are right.

 

[Pumpkinman]

If it is a kit, it most likely included Lalvin EC-1118 yeast, this yeast has a temperature range of 50° - 86°, as everyone else stated, you are fine.
Here is a good link to be able to have a quick reference check of the most popular Lalvin yeast strains: Click Here, click on one and it will give you detailed info, from origins, to which wines it is beast suited for, to which characteristics it can bring out of a wine, temp thresholds, alcohol tolerances and so on, a basic yeast pedigree...lol

 

[Sudz]

Outstanding.... Thanks guys!