I posted in another thread that I never added oak powder in primary fermentation. I know my reds have always been 'weak' in terms of mouthfeel, usually a taste of "off-flavor" and not "sweetness" available.
Based on what I've read, oak "fights" off flavors or better to say, adds mouthfeel to the wine.
My wines in the past have been off as mentioned earlier, alcohol taste is predominant but a "plain" alcohol flavor.
I always buy the 6 gallon plastic pails with yeast pre-added.
I have the following glass containers:
-3 5gal carboys
-1 15gal demi-john
Am I better off just using oak powder in primary fermentation, and maybe spirals next?
I don't want to spend a lot, so if I bought an oak barrel, what size would you recommend for my small arsenal, maybe a 25L so I ferment one 6gal pail, or something bigger to replace 2 carboys or even the demi-john?
Typical price?
Toasted oak barrel vs. not toasted?
I really want to "fix" and make my wine RIGHT.
At the same time I don't want to spend $ on a barrel and then find out that I need to fix leaks and all that.
Am I better off justk adding oak powder to primary and this would provide the benefits as using an oak barrel?
All the feedback would be appreciated.
Based on what I've read, oak "fights" off flavors or better to say, adds mouthfeel to the wine.
My wines in the past have been off as mentioned earlier, alcohol taste is predominant but a "plain" alcohol flavor.
I always buy the 6 gallon plastic pails with yeast pre-added.
I have the following glass containers:
-3 5gal carboys
-1 15gal demi-john
Am I better off just using oak powder in primary fermentation, and maybe spirals next?
I don't want to spend a lot, so if I bought an oak barrel, what size would you recommend for my small arsenal, maybe a 25L so I ferment one 6gal pail, or something bigger to replace 2 carboys or even the demi-john?
Typical price?
Toasted oak barrel vs. not toasted?
I really want to "fix" and make my wine RIGHT.
At the same time I don't want to spend $ on a barrel and then find out that I need to fix leaks and all that.
Am I better off justk adding oak powder to primary and this would provide the benefits as using an oak barrel?
All the feedback would be appreciated.
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