Cellar Craft CC Showcase Yakima Valley Viognier not clearing

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ibglowin

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I thought I would open a thread on this problem as it is really about this specific problem with this kit. First off, this kit came with this insert and an "extra" just in case packet of Kieselsol.

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I added the first packet of Kieselsol stirred for 2 minutes with the drill stirrer. Waited one hour, added the pack of Chitosan, stirred for 2 minutes and then vacuum degassed this guy for almost 30 minutes. I left it for 7 days while on travel and sitting on a heating pad with the temp at ~ 71F.

I come home today to this.

20100130_215933_DSC02415.jpg



It has cleared (somewhat) but you can't see through it by any stretch of the imagination. Quite a bit of sediment on the bottom that is out of the field of view of the snap.

Should I wait another couple of weeks or go ahead and add the "extra" pack of Kieselsol now. My past experience says it should have cleared 90% within 48 hours and the other 10% within a week to the point of crystal clear or almost.

Those of you who have more experience than I, please chime in and let me know what you think as far as the addition of the extra pack.
 
I just clarified mine about a week and a half ago. I racked mine into a primary instead of another carboy, did my degassing and adding of sorbate and k-meta, racked back to a carboy and added the clarifiers and it is already very clear with another 1 1/2 weeks to go until bottling time. maybe racking to a primary fermenter makes the difference.
 
It was racked back to primary bucket leaving the gross lees behind. The Carboy was cleaned and sanitized and then racked back to the Carboy where it was degassed and fined.
 
sounds like you just got one of those kits that has the higher protein level.
 
Mike, I think I would go ahead and add the "just in case" packet as this looks like a "case."
 
I believe I would let it sit for another month and see where you are, Mike. You can always add the extra packet of kieselsol later.

I've read that people put magnums of the extra wine from racking into the fridge to help the solids fall out of suspension. Perhaps you should turn off the heating pad? Also, I notice the carboy isn't topped off. Are you using inert gas?
 
Yes,

I backfilled with a heavy dose of Argon before going out of town.......

v1rotate said:
I believe I would let it sit for another month and see where you are, Mike. You can always add the extra packet of kieselsol later. I've read that people put magnums of the extra wine from racking into the fridge to help the solids fall out of suspension. Perhaps you should turn off the heating pad? Also, I notice the carboy isn't topped off. Are you using inert gas?
 
Kinda looking that way for sure. I may hit it again with the vacuum pump just to make sure it it fully degassed.

admiral said:
Mike, I think I would go ahead and add the "just in case" packet as this looks like a "case."
 
Is it going to hurt anything to add it? They discovered a problem with this kit and sent an extra clearing agent so I'd use it.




Good luck
 
More than likely not, I was worried about the timing of the additional packet and if I should wait 3 weeks before adding it.

I racked off the fines that had settled out from sitting for 9 days last night. Then added the additonal packet and stirred for 2 minutes with the drill. I then hit it with the vacuum pump for another 15 minutes so we will see what happens next....
 
Update:

Added "just in case" pack of Kieselsol on Monday. No change still looks like the pic. Spoke with Joesph on Wednesday and he said to hit it with a pack of Super Kleer. Just so happen to have one in my toolbox for emergency use only and added it in last night.

This AM it had cleared slightly but could still not see through it by any stretch of the imagination.

Will just let it sit now and see what happens. Hopefully time will help this guy clear.

Anyone else ever run into a white that just would NOT clear? What did you do if anything?
 
What you need is a big old carboy centrifuge. You should have a centrifuge nearby.
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Seriously, I have never had a wine that would not clear. I am looking forward to the solution to this.
 
We took a tour this past Summer at Chateau St. Michelle in Washington and they actually did have a giant centrifuge they used on their whites!

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Mike, has your Viognier cleared? I fined mine last night and it's clearing well so far. This morning I noticed there was sediment stuck to the smooth inside of the carboy so I gave it a quick turn and it fell off and sank like a rock.
 
Still not much joy in Viognierville. I may need to pick up a centrifuge!

A quick recap, I added the "just in case" pack of Kieselsol and waited 4 days. Nothing. It laughed at me. I called and spoke with Joseph and he recommended I hit it with a pack of Super Kleer. I hit it with the Super Kleer 4 days ago and it has cleared somewhat but you still can't really see through it all the way. At this point I guess I am just going to let nature go it course for a month and see if if will continue to gradually clear on its own or if perhaps another dose of Super Kleer would be in order. Can you even do that?I turned off the heating pad to see if cold temps would make a difference in clearing at this point I will try just about anything!

Here are a couple of new snaps from today.

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20100207_162819_DSC02421.jpg
 
Mike I have had this problem with every Riesling I have made. Covering the thing and walking away has become the best solution - but I do understand how frustrating it can be.
 
We seem to make the same kits. I just made this kit and boy is it good. You will love this kit at the one year mark. Mine took me about a month to clear, so don't worry to much.
 
Good to know, It seems to be taking its own sweet time clearing but it does seem to be making some VERY slow progress. Just going to let it sit for a month or so.
 
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