Secondary fermentation without hydrometer

[Abs]

I just broke my hydrometer and waiting for new one.
I have a wine kit in secondary that needs to come out in the next couple days.
How can I tell when to transfer it without a hydrometer...taste and clarity?
Thanks in advance.


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[cmason1957]

You can't, absolutely. What was the SG when you put you wine under airlock and what is the temp of the wine now?

Assuming something like 1.010 I would leave it there a good two weeks before racking. Hopefully in that time you get a hydrometer and can measure the SG.

 

[Abs]

Started primary at 1.058.
Left it in primary too long (18 days)
After primary tasted too astringent/tangy. Does this mean it was over fermented?
I think I'll wait until I get the hydrometer.
Thanks CMason!


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[Boatboy24]

What are you making? 1.058 is pretty low - more like the SG for a beer. Astringency isn't a problem at this point. During and shortly after fermentation, that's what it'll taste like. Age cures it. Definitely wait until your hydrometer arrives, but consider topping up in the mean time.

 

[Abs]

Making lid ranch 11 cabernet kit. May have put too much water in to get low SG.
What do u mean by topping off? There's no room in the secondary fermenter.


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[DoctorCAD]

Sounds like a "mist" kit starting gravity to me, not a high end wine like you say it is.

Its going to be very unbalanced if that is the case. It may never come around.

 

[Abs]

Meant Lodi Ranch 11 cab.
I'm adding wine instead of water to top off after transfer


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[sour_grapes]

IMHO, there is little danger from leaving a (properly topped-up) wine in secondary for an extra week. And adding wine to top off sounds perfect.

I am going to ignore that starting SG figure. No way it could have been that low....

 

[Scott]

Did you order 2 of them to have a spare?

 

[Abs]

Didn't order 2 of them, and don't want to give up on this one. Maybe if I keep it in the carboy for the clearing stage on oak for extra time it will help?


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[Scott]

I meant did you order 2 hydrometers.

It's not going to hurt it any waiting to test the sg, should have a layer of gas to protect it and good thing to top up with a like wine.

Good luck!

 

[Abs]

Thanks Scott!


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