Fermenting white in a vc tank

[Maheesh]

I'm doing pinot gris primary in a vc stainless tank....do I leave a head space? Thx in advance

 

[WineQuest]

When I ferment whites in my vc tanks I don't put the lid on at all.

 

[Maheesh]

When do you take it to secondary....what sg?

 

[grapeman]

When I ferment whites in my vc tanks I don't put the lid on at all.

What do you use to keep the fruit flies out?

 

[JohnT]

Transfer to secondary when SG dips below 1.0.

To keep the fruit flies out, I normally cover the whole shebang with a tarp.

 

[Maheesh]

So contrary to what I read about whites and oxidation, the primary is conducted open?

 

[JohnT]

yes. The positive pressure of co2 produced while fermenting will protect the wine. Any o2 in the beginning is beneficial to yeast reproduction.

What size vcss tank?

 

[Maheesh]

100 liter...so if fermentation is slow to start due to temperature, the lack of co2 at that stage is not a problem? Thx

 

[JohnT]

One option is to install the lid, leaving as much headspace as possible, and leave the fermentation trap/stopper off. as fermentation sets in, I would remove the lid all together.

 

[Runningwolf]

You have two other options. Put the lid on and loosely inflate it. When the fermentation begins it will push the lid up and you'll know it began (meanwhile your must is protected). When the fermentation begins, inflate the ring on the lid and set it on top of your tank. The must is protected from debris and fruit flies, and the vigorous fermentation can do it's thing.

 

[WineQuest]

What do you use to keep the fruit flies out?

I throw an old (clean) sheet over the top.