My first kit wine is a suncal beaujolais, and it is currently in the secondary. It's a 5 gallon batch, but when I racked it I did not get a full fill because of the sediment in the bottom of the primary, and probably due to some inexperience as well. So it currently has some space, about 3/4 of an inch below the neck of the bottle.
When I rack it again, I'd like to solve this issue, because I assume I will lose some more in the bottom again. I have seen people recommend filling from a bottle of similar wine in other posts, so that's one option.
I could also rack into a 3 gallon carboy, and then I'd probably have enough to fill another 1 gallon carboy and possibly 2 wine bottles. One pro of this would be that the 2 wine bottles would give me filler for future rackings.
Any opinions on which is best?
Also, one more question, I've never made a beaujolais, does it do well with oaking? I have some oak chips that I bought to use, but I'm not sure if this style of wine works well with it. I do like the oak flavor in other wines, so if it's just up to taste then I'd probably do it.
When I rack it again, I'd like to solve this issue, because I assume I will lose some more in the bottom again. I have seen people recommend filling from a bottle of similar wine in other posts, so that's one option.
I could also rack into a 3 gallon carboy, and then I'd probably have enough to fill another 1 gallon carboy and possibly 2 wine bottles. One pro of this would be that the 2 wine bottles would give me filler for future rackings.
Any opinions on which is best?
Also, one more question, I've never made a beaujolais, does it do well with oaking? I have some oak chips that I bought to use, but I'm not sure if this style of wine works well with it. I do like the oak flavor in other wines, so if it's just up to taste then I'd probably do it.