Hydrometer reading for cherry wine

[David219]

I'm attempting my first go at a fruit wine, all of my previous winemaking experience having been with kits.

I pitted and froze 16# of sweet cherries, planning to shoot for 2 gallons of finished wine. I placed the crushed/defrosted fruit in a straining bag, and the juice is waiting for the yeast addition.

My main question: the juice is thick with pulp, and I'm having difficulty getting an accurate hydrometer reading. Any comments or suggestions?

 

[Julie]

get a stainless steel strainer, sanitize it and push it down on the top of the pulp, collect the juice that raises to use for your readings.

 

[David219]

Thanks, Julie. Is this a common issue with fruit wines?

 

[salcoco]

pulp in the must is problematic of all wines. If desire purchase a refractometer which only requires a drop of juice for sg determination. also can be use during fermentation if using proper spreadsheet to convert the numbers. visit Valley Vintner web page under resources.