Mosti Mondiale bulk aging newbie

[Dave2]

I have a question for the experts, first let me say i have been making 6 gallon concentrated kits for 8 years mostly whites and blushes because i had such success with them. I am making my first Mosti all Juice kit (actually 3- 6 gallon Sangiovese kits combined in a 100L SST tank. My question is I have never bulk aged and i am not sure what the proper steps are after the second racking after fermenting is done. i have the variable capacity lid down as close as possible on the wine I have 18 gallons in the tank with Oak in and NOW WHAT i want to bulk age for 6-9 months. how do you check sulfite levels and how do you adjust? how long should the oak stay in?

Please help if you can - my first post and i appreciate the support

 

[AlFulchino]

test kits (George sells'em) are needed for sulfite levels first of all and you will need to sulfite about every 3- mos

also..what do you mean your lid as close to the wine? you cant let it sit right on the wine?, you need as little to no air as possible above that wine...and this is another reason i like barrels or flex tanks ( what i use)....micro-oxygenation aids in aging

as far as oak goes...since you are new at it i suggest you go w manufacturer recommended levels and oak until you think it is a bit much then rack off the oak or remove it its a stave or spiral....and the oak will back off from being what you felt was TOO oaky....as time and experience comes into play for you, you will be able to adjust the degree with which you oak

if you have three carobys i would encourage you to rack into them and oak all three differently and it will help you get a grip on different aging techniques

 

[Wade E]

Get a S02 test kit.
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDetA.asp?PartNumber=301-10

 

[Dave2]

Thanks I will see if i can pick up a test kit I have no experience with them as i have usually just bottled in about 12 weeks, what product is recommended for sulfite(?) aslo should i be mixing the wine to help the oak and for how long

 

[AlFulchino]

you can use k meta...it comes w mix rates..as far as mixing to *help* the oak...relax....its all a hands off kind of thing....put in a recommended rate on your package....drop in....wait...and wait...and wait...come back in a few mos and taste...if you think the taste has gone on a bit much then rack off and let age some more...come back in a couple of mos and taste again...this is another reason when you are only doing 18 gallons to age in smaller vessels because you can experiment and yet also bottle one carboy and that will help ameliorate your intense desire to *DO SOMETHING*....you will be busy drinking one carboy while the other 12 have a chance to grow up to coin a phrase...

there is no real right or wrong in this business....you are doing it because you enjoy the experience....because you can experiment...because you can save a few bucks...and enjoy the product...and it is healthy for you to boot

 

[Dave2]

Thanks for settling me down! i am good now

Do you like this product I have been using Selection series for years for whites they are simple but reds are not that good. so i tired alljuice kit

 

[AlFulchino]

i have to defer to others here regarding kits in general and specifically teh series that youmentioned as i have done less than others here.....my background is in using grapes....but i think kits are WONDERFUL because of the ease of use and incredible variety with which you have to choose.

 

[Wade E]

Im not very fond of many W.E. red wine kits as they always seem to have a candy like flavor to me(kit taste). Others sometimes have it also but to a much lesser extent requiring very long aging times compared to other brand kits.