Pot. sorbat & pot. metabisulfite? Help

[rshosted]

Ok, I've spent the last hour or two reading old threads, but couldn't find one that was specific to my question:
First my question:

I have a fruit wine. I may sweeten it, but want to let it age a bit before to see if the flavor is fine as is (S.G. .999). The SO2 level is about 10-20ppm right now. I was thinking of adding 1/4 tsp Pot. Metabisulpfite (P.M.) to it (5gal) to bring it up 'about' 50ppm.

Now, if I do that, and I do decided to add sugar/juice should I add less P.M. if I am adding Potassium Sorbate (P.S.) too?

Will P.S. add SO2?

The P.S. that I have, directs me to add 3/4 tsp per gallon. So I assume I would add 3 3/4 tsp of P.S. and 1/4 tsp of P.M. for my five gal batch...?


I know I need P.S. to prevent re-fermentation. I also need P.M. to keep the wine preserved. But do these two ingredients act similarly, and subsequently mean that I should add less of both if both are going to be added?

Sorry, not sure if this all makes sense....

 

[masta]

Potassium Sorbate does not add any SO2 and you need the proper SO2 level for the sorbate to prevent re-fermentation.


Go ahead and follow the directions for the amount of sorbate to add to your batch and add the 1/4 tsp of K-meta.


If you do decide not to sweeten the sorbate will not hurt the wine at all.


All is well and great questions!

 

[geocorn]

Always add sulfites when adding sorbate! If not, you could start a maloactic fermentation that you do not want.


General rule: 1/2 tsp. of sorbat per gallon


1/8 tsp. of sulfites per gallon

 

[rshosted]

Would that be 1/8 of "sulfite solution" per gallon? From my math, I put 1/4 sulphite (pot metabi) into five gallons to raise it 50 PPM.

Is this not enough?

 

[geocorn]

I'm sorry, I was not specific. It is 1/8 tsp of the powder.


If you are at 50 ppm, you are fine. Did you test to arrive at that figure?

 

[rshosted]

No, last I tested I was about 20ppm (before adding anything).

My goal was to add another 50ppm to get to 70ppm roughly. That's why I added 1/4 tsp to the 5 gallons....

Sounds like I didn't put in enough.

 

[geocorn]

From what I have read, 1/4 tsp in 6 gallons will raise the SO2 level by 10-12 ppm.