Hey Everyone,
So this is the plan for my white wine (I got a sheet from the wine making place when I picked up the juice).
I ferment for 7-10 days then rack and let sit for 1 month. Then rack and let sit for 2 months. Then rack and let sit for 3 months. Finally stabilize and when ready bottle.
I just racked for the second time (basically I am going to let the wine sit for 2 months now).
I have a couple of questions...hopefully someone will be able to help me out.
When I racked the first time (right after fermentation) I followed the directions and kept some wine in a separate container so I would be able to top off the wine when I rack. I am not sure why but I don't think I collected enough wine into the top off container. After racking just now I added some but it is not enough. If I were to add all the wine in the top off container to my carboy I would use it all and it still would not be enough. I decided to add a little and save some for future racks. I currently have about 2-4 inches of air in my carboy. Does anyone see that being a problem? Is there anything that I can do?
My second question is...I was thinking about adding some oak chips to this Chardonnay. I feel letting the chips sit in the wine for 2 months would be a LONG time. Is it ok to add the chips in for 2 months or will that cause too strong of an oak flavor? As an alternative could I add it for 1 of the 2 months?
Any help would be appreciated. Again this is my first batch of wine so I am just a little nervous. Thanks so much!!
So this is the plan for my white wine (I got a sheet from the wine making place when I picked up the juice).
I ferment for 7-10 days then rack and let sit for 1 month. Then rack and let sit for 2 months. Then rack and let sit for 3 months. Finally stabilize and when ready bottle.
I just racked for the second time (basically I am going to let the wine sit for 2 months now).
I have a couple of questions...hopefully someone will be able to help me out.
When I racked the first time (right after fermentation) I followed the directions and kept some wine in a separate container so I would be able to top off the wine when I rack. I am not sure why but I don't think I collected enough wine into the top off container. After racking just now I added some but it is not enough. If I were to add all the wine in the top off container to my carboy I would use it all and it still would not be enough. I decided to add a little and save some for future racks. I currently have about 2-4 inches of air in my carboy. Does anyone see that being a problem? Is there anything that I can do?
My second question is...I was thinking about adding some oak chips to this Chardonnay. I feel letting the chips sit in the wine for 2 months would be a LONG time. Is it ok to add the chips in for 2 months or will that cause too strong of an oak flavor? As an alternative could I add it for 1 of the 2 months?
Any help would be appreciated. Again this is my first batch of wine so I am just a little nervous. Thanks so much!!