Bottling & Degassing

[gsf77]

I've had wine in some carboys for a while now. These are the same ones I've talked about a while back. I don't have any notes and I have been trying to figure out if it's ready to bottle. When I shake it I get some "mild" fizz out of it as in carbonation.The other day I did an experiment. I took some wine that I had bought from a winery some months ago. I shook it up and it fizzled 3 times more than mine plus it had a lot more carbonation release. So by comparison my thinking was mine is ready therefore I bottled. Is there a flaw in my method?

Thanks

 

[Bubba1]

Even if you shake a bottle with just water in it you will get a pop when you move your finger with that said i would taste it you can probably figure it out from that.....Mike

 

[NorCal]

Agree with @Bubba1 , if it is fizzy to the taste then you would want to degas more. I've done the same with commercial wine and it made my degas efforts look pretty good.

 

[gsf77]

Good advice, thanks to the both of you

 

[crabjoe]

I'm confused here... and it's probably because I don't know about the prior posts..

What's causing my confusion is why is there an issue with bottling, just because there's no notes?

I would think you have a general idea of how long it's been sitting.. and if it were me, I'd take a hydrometer reading, if I wasn't sure.. then depending on what I knew about it.. degas, let sit to possibly clear a bit more then bottle.

 

[gsf77]

crabjoe, I'm gunshy (lol). My first bottling experience had me cleaning up a lot Once the bombs started going off I moved them to the shed and place the bottles in totes.

 

[jpwatkins9]

I use a variable speed hand drill and a paddle to de-gas my wine. Doesn’t matter if it is a couple of months or long term bulk aging, I still check it by Using a drill and plastic paddle. If I get a lot of gas coming out of solution, will de-gas twice with the paddle and drill (about 30 secs). Then I bottle.