Oak Chips and Additives

[Khubred]

New to Winemaking - we plan on trying different types of Oak - Chips, cubes and homemade oak additives. When would these be added? Some have said of the chips/cubes to add during fermentation. We're also doing Malolactic fermentation.

Thanks,

 

[Runningwolf]

I like to add chips or oak dust during fermentation. Cubes or spirals during aging.

 

[JohnT]

I use cubes, beans, or stalves.

I add them right after my second racking where I can have it sit for a number of months.

 

[salcoco]

for color extraction add oak chips , oak dust or powdered tannins in must.

to add tannins to wine add cubes, spiral or powdered tanning post fermentation

 

[Rocky]

Khubred, one caution. Be careful in adding "homemade" oak. You really have to know what you are doing, the type of oak and how it is processed (cut, dried and seasoned or toasted). I am sure you realize that it is not just a matter of getting a hunk of oak and tossing into the wine.

 

[Khubred]

Thanks All

Rocky, I read in a book that you can use the oak chips or cubes and cook them on the stove with some Vodka to get the oak flavor... Interesting, thinking of trying it, along with different variations for the oak flavor to see what we like best.

Thanks All!