Cellar Craft Merlot fermentation

[quntumleap]

I started my first 10 liter Cellar Craft kit a Merlot with grape pack. I guess I misunderstood the directions and thought the wine needed to stay in the primary for 12 days instead of the normal 6-8 days before transferring to the secondary. So I now have racked to the secondary at day 12. The SG was 1.000. There is still a very small amount of bubbling in the air lock but not much. Is this OK or have I damaged this batch? If so should I leave it in the secondary past day 20 or clarify then if the SG is below 0.998 per the instructions.

Thanks

JOHN

 

[vcasey]

Just follow the instructions as normal. Several folks, me included, leave the wine in the primary a little longer. I find that it makes degassing a bit easier. It will not even hurt you wine if you let it sit in the secondary longer. These kits are pretty forgiving. Thank goodness!
VPC

 

[Wade E]

I also leave in primary longer when there is grape skins or fruit in there. Some RJ Spagnols kits have you do the entire fermentation in the bucket.