First-timer mistake - potassium sorbate

[DJS]

I back sweetened & bottled my first wine tonight.

However, in the process, I forgot to add potassium sorbate.

Should I immediately un-bottle the wine, add the potassium sorboate & then go get more corks to re-bottle tomorrow? Or am I okay leaving it overnight in the bottles.

Thanks.

 

[dralarms]

It should be OK over night, however if you back sweetened you probably need to fix it.

 

[Jc5066]

I would open your bottles, pour them into a bucket, and your add your ps tonight. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[DJS]

Thanks for your help. I already undid the bottling & added the PS. I'll re-bottle tomorrow. I appreciate you answering so quickly.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Thanks for your help. I already undid the bottling & added the PS. I'll re-bottle tomorrow. I appreciate you answering so quickly.

You made the correct decision - considering you already back sweetened.
If you can wait a week before rebottling - just to make sure that you do not have fermentation. Sorbate will not stop fermentation but it will prevent it.

Conclusion = you added sugar prior to sorbate and it could of possibly started fermentation already - only way to tell is by your air lock.

 

[Jc5066]

Also take gravity readings every day to see if it changes. More reliable then trying to watch the airlock.

 

[Julie]

Did you backsweeten the wine prior to bottling. If you did not backsweeten there was no reason to add sorbate.

 

[grapeman]

DJS said he back sweetened and then bottled, forgetting the sorbate. I would also watch it for about a week, possibly checking the specific gravity now and every day or to to be sure it isn't moving.

 

[DJS]

Thanks everybody for all of your help. I'll make sure to take measurements for a week and check the air lock.

 

[DJS]

The SG did move some, but that's not too bad. It was a little on the low end. Is there a way to stop it? Or do I let it go for a week and then bottle?

 

[vacuumpumpman]

The SG did move some, but that's not too bad. It was a little on the low end. Is there a way to stop it? Or do I let it go for a week and then bottle?

if fermentation starts - you have to just ride it out

Then you can lower your ABV by dilution - let it go a bit and let us know what your findings are.