Winemaking in Florida Temperatures

[gmartin200]

I live in FL where it is not practical to place my home thermostat below 77 deg. I also have a wine fridge (66 deg F max setting) large enough to hold my 6 gal. carboy (with airlock) but too small for my primary bucket. So my questions: is primary fermentation at 77 deg OK, or is it better to ferment in the carboy (in the fridge) at a controlled temperature at or below 66 deg? Are there any drawbacks to primary fermentation in a 6 gal carboy? Is it better for clarification to be performed at room temp (77) or in the fridge at 66 deg or lower? My next batch will be a Pinot Noir.
Thanks!

 

[olusteebus]

I have used frozen plastic water bottles in a storage bin with water to maintain a a cool ferment. I would think a Pinot noir would need between 75 or eighty.

To maintain warmer temps, I use the same bath method but with an aquarium heater