Adjusting TA during or after fermentation

[Siwash]

Hey folks,

I will be getting a big batch of grapes today but I didn't buy an acid test kit. I was going to buy one of those cheaper (under $20) TA kits but just didn't get around to doing so. I will have to proceed with the winemaking today as this is my only weekend before I get really busy. My question is can I test the TA level and adjust at a later point in time? If I can order one online, I might be able to get one next week... Our wine supply stores here don't seem to carry them or they've sold out.

Thanks for your inout.

 

[Julie]

Yes you adjust later. My preference to make sure you have good acid levels to ensure a good fermentation and adjust after fermentation.

 

[ibglowin]

Its best practice to adjust upfront as your acid addition gets carried through the fermentation and thus better integrated into the wine. But a post fermentation addition is better than no addition if it needs one. You need to know your brix levels as if your getting fruit from California they almost always are very high brix and need some acidulated water to bring the ABV levels down from outer space.

 

[Siwash]

Its best practice to adjust upfront as your acid addition gets carried through the fermentation and thus better integrated into the wine. But a post fermentation addition is better than no addition if it needs one. You need to know your brix levels as if your getting fruit from California they almost always are very high brix and need some acidulated water to bring the ABV levels down from outer space.

Yes, Cali grapes.. the Syrah is particularly sweat.. I think the hydrometer reading was 1.110. I think that is quite high with a Brix of 25.8 and potential alcohol of 15%

I will take another reading though before it really starts to ferment. It was challenging to read the hydrometer this time around. The must was rather foamy and what I poured into the measuring cylinder was frothy no matter how much I tried to reduce the foam. There was just enough at the water line to make it hard to read. 1.110 seems pretty high if that is the actual reading.

I am going to try to get my hands on a TA test kit. Just hope I can make necessary adjustments if they're needed before it's too late.