pittspur
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2009
- Messages
- 58
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The info on this site and the willingness of everyone to help is very refreshing. I have a few questions regarding my World Vineyard Washington Riesling that is in process. I am into the clearing stages and it seems to be clearing nicely. I learn much better by doing than reading, so I keep finding things that I do wrong after I have already done them. After reading a bunch on here about de-gassing, I decided to check a sample last night. I drew a quick sample, held the top, shook it, and heard the fizz when I released the top. So, I am not properly degassed. My thinking is to continue to wait for clearing to finish. At that point, I will rack off the lees to let bulk age for a month or two. At what point should I go about attempting degassing again? Now, at racking, or wait until bulk aging is complete? Does it even matter when I degas again?
A question on determining alcohol content. Starting sg was 1.082. After fermentation, sg was .994. Then, f-pack was added and sg went up (don’t have my notes at work and don’t remember the number). Which of those readings do I use to calculate the abv? Or do I just take a final reading right before bottling to calc the abv?
Finally, a question on sulfites. I may eventually spring for a test kit, but in lieu of that, I am looking for some general thoughts. My plan is to bottle after around 2 months of bulk aging (based on things I have read here and the Tim Vandergrift “Making your kit wine shine” article). I also hope I will be able to let the bottles sit for several months as well. The instructions say to add additional sulfite if you want to age for more than 6 months. I assume this refers only to the bulk aging time and not the bottle time. Is that a correct assumption? In my instance, would you recommend adding any additional sulfites before bottling?
Thanks, in advance, for all the help.
A question on determining alcohol content. Starting sg was 1.082. After fermentation, sg was .994. Then, f-pack was added and sg went up (don’t have my notes at work and don’t remember the number). Which of those readings do I use to calculate the abv? Or do I just take a final reading right before bottling to calc the abv?
Finally, a question on sulfites. I may eventually spring for a test kit, but in lieu of that, I am looking for some general thoughts. My plan is to bottle after around 2 months of bulk aging (based on things I have read here and the Tim Vandergrift “Making your kit wine shine” article). I also hope I will be able to let the bottles sit for several months as well. The instructions say to add additional sulfite if you want to age for more than 6 months. I assume this refers only to the bulk aging time and not the bottle time. Is that a correct assumption? In my instance, would you recommend adding any additional sulfites before bottling?
Thanks, in advance, for all the help.