Wine clearing before aging?

[Morten]

Is it important to clear the wine completely before adding oak chips for aging? Or can it be left to clear with the chips? Planning to let it age with the oak chips for a couple of months, at least.

 

[crushday]

You can include your oak anytime and the wine will clear on its own if given time. Why chips? An aging oak adjunct like a spiral, stix or beans (cubes) might produce better results. Chips will give up oak flavor within a few weeks and are typically used during fermentation.

 

[Morten]

You can include your oak anytime and the wine will clear on its own if given time. Why chips? An aging oak like a spiral, stix or beans might produce better results. Chips will give up oak flavor within a few weeks and are typically used during fermentation.

Chips is what I have. Will add them tonight then.

 

[winemaker81]

Chips is what I have.

This trumps everything!

I don't add oak when there is heavy sediment, as cubes and chips get buried in the sediment. Fine lees is not a problem.