Initial S.G.

[Flem]

I'm picking up a Cab Sauv. juice bucket tomorrow. I'm going to add a grape skin pack during the primary fermentation. Will the initial S.G. likely go up after I add the grape pack, needing me to add a little more water to the primary? Thanks!!

 

[Wade E]

A skin pack wont raise it that much.

 

[djrockinsteve]

Don't add water and yea the gravity will rise a bit but not enough to concern yourself with. If you were adding whole grapes then yes it would raise it additionally.

 

[Flem]

For future reference, the grape pack raised the S.G. from 1.090 to 1.100 during the first 24 hours. That seems pretty significant. Must of been a lot of sugar in those skins.

 

[Rocky]

That is really surprising to me Mike. I have added grape packs and have never had an increase as large as 0.010. Mine are usually in the 0.005 area. Does the additional alcohol cause you a problem? Seems like that would make a nice BIG Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is all a matter of taste and personal preference.

 

[Flem]

While the additional alcohol doesn't concern me, I decided to bring the S.G. down to 1.096. That additional volume will help me when I rack to secondary, etc.

 

[Rocky]

Great idea. An you still have a very nice Cab at 12.5%.

 

[robie]

For future reference, the grape pack raised the S.G. from 1.090 to 1.100 during the first 24 hours. That seems pretty significant. Must of been a lot of sugar in those skins.

I think that is pretty typical, no surprize. It will go up differently with different types/sizes of grape packs.

 

[ibglowin]

If this is a Cellar Craft Grape Pack then the 0.010 increase is very normal. There is a lot of sugar in that pack!

 

[Flem]

Actually, it's what George carries. Don't remember seeing a name on it.
It was a 1.5 litre pack.

 

[robie]

Actually, it's what George carries. Don't remember seeing a name on it.
It was a 1.5 litre pack.

Those are the nice Cellar Craft packs. I bought some, too.