Insects

[mmc]

I am making a 5gal batch of wine from apple juice. I added 2lbs of corn sugar after everything was in the carboy I noticed a few insects floating in it. Turns out they are grain weevils and were in the corn sugar they were not alive . Will they hurt my wine or am I worried for nothing.

 

[Tom]

LOL A little protein never hurt anyone.
2.5 #'s of sugar sounds low. What was the starting gravity?

 

[arcticsid]

If they're dead I doubt they wont be able to hurt anything. Here in Alaska our mosquitoes are horrendous and have been considering fermenting the lil suckers. But in all seriousness I wouldn't sweat it, I'm with Tom though, 2# of sugar sounds pretty low.
Troy

 

[smurfe]

They will settle to the bottom with the trub/lees. No need to fret. It'll all bee good.

 

[mmc]

2.5 #'s of sugar sounds low. What was the starting gravity?

I didn't take an OG reading. This is an Apfelwein recipe it won't have alot of alcohol in it around 7 or 8 %.

 

[Tom]

MMC,
Taking and recording your info on each wine is just as important as drinking it. Please start a log. This way if there is a problem it makes it easier for us to help you. Also If the wine is a winner you might want to make another using your records.

 

[smurfe]

I didn't take an OG reading. This is an Apfelwein recipe it won't have alot of alcohol in it around 7 or 8 %.

Thats some good stuff. Sort of like an apple beer. Even though it is lower alcohol, it will kick your butt after a few bottles of it. We always bottle it in beer bottles.

 

[Wine4Me]

As for he insects, thinking the alcohol would kill "problems"???

 

[Wade E]

No really a problem as long as there are only a couple. heck, it might even give it more bite!

 

[mmc]

MMC,
Taking and recording your info on each wine is just as important as drinking it.

No Its Not

 

[Luc]

The big professional wineries pick the berries, destem them
and start pulp-fermenting.
Do you really think they will examine all grapes for any insects to be present ???

Use sulphite and you will be fine.

Luc

 

[St Allie]

I mostly don't take readings.. Occasionally I see dead fruit flies..I check daily and remove anything ..My wines still seem to finish ok..


Allie

 

[joeswine]

there's always room for wine sects in our industrythats what gives you a buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Tom]

there's always room for wine sects in our industrythats what gives you a buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So there must be some "BUGGERS" in all of my wine since I do get a "BUZZ" from my wine!

 

[mmc]

The big professional wineries pick the berries, destem them
and start pulp-fermenting.
Do you really think they will examine all grapes for any insects to be present ???

Luc

No I didn't think that. But I am trying to make it with as few additives as possible and since I'm planing on carbonating and conditioning it in 12 oz bottles I didn't want to add any thing that might stun the yeast.

 

[Tom]

MMC
Don't worry about it. When doing fruit wine in the summer you should see the airlock.. Fruit flies so bad I keep fly paper over the buckets LOL !
Never had a problem.

 

[Wade E]

Adding sulfite in tye beginning will not hinder fermentation later.

 

[mmc]

Adding sulfite in tye beginning will not hinder fermentation later.

Too late for that I had already pitched the yeast before I saw them.