Bell Pepper Carménère

[NCWC]

We made some Chilean Carménère from grapes this spring.
After we racked it a couple times I noticed a bell pepper smell.

I thought after we put it in a barrel it would soften. It is still there
I know it is not exactly a fault but I would like to get rid of it
The wine tastes very very good.

Any fining agents to try or any recommendation would be appreciated

 

[salcoco]

try a bench trial with gelatin.

 

[ibglowin]

It is a fault and unfortunately one that is near impossible to correct. The culprit is most often under ripe grapes with high amount of pyrazine. The easiest way to it to "blend it away" with another wine(s). Oak is a good masking agent. Your best bet is probably a big dose of bentonite. That can help remove some of the vegetal off flavors.

 

[NCWC]

I was going to try bentonite just was wondering if there was anything else. Someone suggested gelatin.

 

[ibglowin]

I used Bentonite on my Cab Franc once. Worked pretty well.

I was going to try bentonite just was wondering if there was anything else. Someone suggested gelatin.

 

[NCWC]

I did a blend of 50/50 it it took it away
Also the smell has softened since last month
I will give it another month or two I hate to start dumping things in wine

 

[BlueStimulator]

Last year my vio got hit with leaf hoppers bad and I had to pick early, I too have the green pepper smell nice to know what it is from!!! Thanks Ibglowin

 

[NCWC]

Picking too early is one cause

 

[NCWC]

One fix is to put raw oak chips in the must

 

[Boatboy24]

One fix is to put raw oak chips in the must

That is part of my standard process. I've still had a couple wines w/ the bell pepper, but am generally good.

 

[JohnT]

Picking too early is one cause

I have read that "second growth" clusters could also be a culprit. I have found this a problem with some of the Chilean grapes.

My was to sort them out. We go through each crate, tossing those underdeveloped buggers. Since then that "pepper" taste has not been a problem.

 

[Sage]

I have 25 Carmenere vines. I was checking Brix yesterday. As I went down the row and a lot of the berries had the "green taste" and were well under 20. Those over 22 didn't.

Best guess is to many clusters were under ripe when picked.