Malolactic fermentation

[Tom]

What next??
Flashing?

 

[KevininPa]

Keep S02 down
make sure ph is above 3.20
use a good nutrient like microessentials
keep warm >70 degrees
keep carboys topped off well
be patient

 

[ibglowin]

OK, that's creepy........

want some candy?

 

[Flem]

Ok, so it sounds like I should be using Lalvin VP41 for the MLF on my Carmenere juice bucket as it should be compatible with the EC1118 that I believe my juice bucket will have in it. Does in come in individual packets for 6 gallon batches? I hope I can get it through one of the internet vendors as I can't get it locally.

 

[Tom]

No, only comes for 66 gallons. Yes, you can get thru at least one of our approved vendors

 

[Wade E]

I would also get some Opti Malo plus (nutrient ) to go with it!

 

[Flem]

No, only comes for 66 gallons. Yes, you can get thru at least one of our approved vendors

Holy Crap!! $29.95 for 66 gallons. And I only need it for 6 gallons. Since it's dry I should be able to divide it. Question is: will the remainder keep for any length of time?

 

[Runningwolf]

Holy Crap!! $29.95 for 66 gallons. And I only need it for 6 gallons. Since it's dry I should be able to divide it. Question is: will the remainder keep for any length of time?

I paid like $17.00 at Presque Isle. You should be able to find something for six gallons but it is still $10.00. You can not save it. It must be used immediately.

 

[Runningwolf]

Ok started two MLF's today for the Carmenere and Melbec.
Carmenere sg .998 ph 3.42 S02 18ppm
Melbec sg 99.4 ph 3.44 S02 12

Holy smokes I didn't realize I would get a volcano upon stirring, use caution LOL

Used Italian carboys and with three wines I ended up a quiet short. I racked the Melbec and Carmenere into six gallon carboys and my Zinfandel into a five. I realize each one holds about 1/4 gallon extra. I used the zinfandel for topping up the other two.

 

[grapeman]

You can open the package and take out what is needed. Use a gram scale. Reseal the package and freeze it. It will keep about 6 months with no problem.

MLB is expensive. You can buy Bacchus from wine supply stores for about $8 and it does 5-6 gallons. It is in the same packages as yeast. It also comes with it's own nutrient so is easy to use. I have had some people like the taste of the wine with that rather than the fancier ones.

 

[Wade E]

Dan, since these were buckets of juice and not from grapes where you press them then they are loaded with C02 just like a kit so yes they will foam. Its mainly because you are putting something in there that the C02 nucleus's can attach to which make them release. Kind of like a balloon or bubble on a popcorn ceiling.

 

[Runningwolf]

Thanks Wade, just a heads up to thse following me. Don't fill your carboy to the top before adding and stirring your culture. I planned on vigorous stirring and ended up with gentle stirring several times over 20 minutes.

 

[Flem]

So Dan, with your Carmenere SO2 level only being 18ppm, mine should be approximately the same---right? Therefore I should not have to use a culture that needs a tolerance against high SO2 levels. Is that correct? The one that had been recommended was quite expensive ($29.95) and made 66 gallons. Does anyone have a "cheaper" recommendation for a 6 gallon batch.

 

[Runningwolf]

Mike what about this one if you can't buy it local.

 

[Wade E]

Every fermentation will produce different levels of everything. You really should test everything. Also, not everybatch needs MLF but in general most red wines will benefit from it. Below is a link for some good reading material on MLF. Flem, Im betting your S02 levels are just fine but if your worried either test it or aerate it a little but at this stage Id vere from that one much.
http://www.morebeer.com/public/pdf/wredw.pdf

 

[grapeman]

Mike what about this one if you can't buy it local.

Yes, that is the one I recommended on the last page of posts. They run right around $8. They are more than yeast, but are harder to keep viable so cost more.

 

[buddy]

Eitherwill work.
DO NOT ADD META TILL MLF IS OVER

Do NOT EVER add Sorbate to a wine that went thru MLF

Oops. I back-sweetened a chokecherry wine that went through MLF about a month ago. Right now it tastes fantastic. How long could this wine go before it starts to flower (geranium).

 

[Tom]

Did you add Sorbate?

 

[Julie]

Oops. I back-sweetened a chokecherry wine that went through MLF about a month ago. Right now it tastes fantastic. How long could this wine go before it starts to flower (geranium).

how do you know it went through MLF?

 

[Racer]

There are test kits for checking whether or not the malic acid has been converted or not. Here's a link that has a good explaination and has a link to their mlf manual too.