WineXpert Clearing

[bovinewines]

My Riesling has been going through "clearing" these past two weeks. Tonight I decided to rack it from Carboy1 to Carboy2 to get it off the lees and try and let it settle out some more...it was still "hazy" but not by much.
My question is it seems you lose almost 750mL if not more of wine. I was trying not to disturb the lees but eventually we got to the bottom and I wasn't sure how to get this last bit of wine out.


I'm sitting in Carboy2 for another week...hoping that the last of the stuff will fall out. If not...SuperK is standing by.


Thoughts? Suggestions?


Lesson learned: Follow George's instructions...pull a sample and put it into a glass don't try and gage the clearness. Do not try and gage clearness by staring at the carboy!

If I had followed that, then I would have let sleeping wine lie and I could have probably bottled next weekend.. <sigh>Edited by: bovinewines

 

[masta]

This being you first born I understand the anxiety and need to get it in the bottle yesterday but giving your wine 3 weeks after fining is a minimum I use and seems to work well. I also don't rack off the lees until I am ready to bottle and this saves topping up.
Another trick is too give your baby a gentle rocking during the 3 weeks and this helps knock off any fines hung up on the sides and compact the lees.

 

[bovinewines]

Thank you Masta.


Seeing how I've already gone ahead and racked off the lees...I guess I'm back on the right track just letting it sit for a while...?

 

[summersolstice]

A lot of folks dump the wine mixed with the lees and they do lose a bottle or so after racking. I take what's left over after racking and put it in a bottle and stick it in the fridge. The sediment drops pretty quickly, leaving about 2/3 bottle of clear wine on top.

 

[PolishWineP]

Time is your friend. Cover it up and don't look at it for a couple of weeks. Then when you're tempted to rack and bottle, cover it up again. Lees will compress over time and won't be so easily disturbed.

 

[bovinewines]

That's a great idea Rule! I'll definately plan on that next time.


Guess I know what I'll be adding to my next "shopping list".

 

[bovinewines]

Good to know PWP!


I started a Shiraz last night....will definately be applying what I've learned so far to this next batch!

 

[chevyguy65]

bovine


Which Shiraz did you start? It has become one of my favorite reds. A little too dry for Mrs Chevy though.

 

[bovinewines]

I'm doing the World Vineyard Australian Shiraz....great color....I'm close to the end of "primary fermentation" actually.