Found dead maggots in primary ferment?

[guiness002]

Well, my first attempt at wine making and I have found what look like small dead maggots in the fermenting bucket. I hand picked around 4 pounds of sloe, washed them, soaked them in boiling water overnight with campden tablet. Next day added the yeast and sugar. 3 days later, it all looks fine and is brewing away nicely. Apart from I have found a few small white/silver coloured bugs, about 8mm long. Are they maggots? If so, how did this happen? Could they have developed over the fermentation, or was they already present, as I never noticed them?

Im thinking now that I should just throw this batch away, as it has put me right off!

 

[countrygirl]

just a few wormies shouldn't be maggots...they come in large batches imo
there were spiders and spider webs in the chardonel i processed...still tastes good...maybe they're like worms in tequila

 

[CSIJon]

I too would be surprised if they were actual maggots as maggots would require there to be the presence of flies. Where there any flies?

 

[Dugger]

Could be they're silverfish that found their way into your bucket - they like moist places - not sure what they might do, but if your wine looks and smells ok I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Just don't tell folks that you give your wine too that you found maggots or silverfish in it

 

[jeepingchick]

u dont wanna know what was in the primaries that made all those bottles of wine you have drunk!!! just leave it in the bucket when u rack it youll b ok. if it creaps u out fish them out and chunk em. the alchohol will make things all beter !!

 

[xanxer82]

I'm sure there is a list floating around about how much "other stuff" is found in wine. From bees to bird poo and other not so tasty items...

 

[winemaker_3352]

I'm sure there is a list floating around about how much "other stuff" is found in wine. From bees to bird poo and other not so tasty items...

Yeah - especially if you harvesting from the vines or from fruit trees...

 

[Wade E]

I dont know what Sloe is but lots of fruits like apples can have works in them. Ive seen a few in apple batchs before, nothing to worry about.

 

[GerardVineyard]

I'm sure there is a list floating around about how much "other stuff" is found in wine. From bees to bird poo and other not so tasty items...

The USDA has a book that lists all the acceptable "Foreign Matter" that can be in food / drink and still be safe to consume. If you were to read it, you would never eat or drink anything ever again.

 

[non-grapenut]

more protein...how can that be bad?

 

[proksy]

I know there are wines or brandy in some country that intentionally have some sort of larva in it for the flavors. Maggot cheese on the other hand is something I simply will not ever try, and I eat hog head cheese, pigs feet, cow tongue(langua)...Hope your wine turns out well.

 

[guiness002]

I too would be surprised if they were actual maggots as maggots would require there to be the presence of flies. Where there any flies?

I wasnt aware of any flies. Also, at this time of year in England, there isnt many around anyway.