Clearing

[TikiWine]

How can you tell if the clearing us complete and ready to bottle. Especially with a red wine?

 

[mainshipfred]

Probably one of the first mysteries I ever had. Put it in a glass, hold it up to a light and tilt the glass.

 

[TikiWine]

I did that. It seems clear, but doesn't taste clear

 

[Bubba1]

Its probably just young wine your tasting let it sit about a year and it will definitely improve I let my reds bulk age a year before bottling and sometimes another year before drinking.....it gets easier to do as you build up a pipeline.

 

[TikiWine]

Ok I forgot to add kmeta after the clearing, can I let it stay in the bottle that long?

 

[heatherd]

I would unbottle and add kmeta.

 

[Trick]

I use a flashlight in the opposite side of the carboy and watch. If the light is visible in the other side, it is typically clear.

 

[FTC Wines]

I rack my wines every 3-4 months. When their is NO sediment on the bottom of the carboy I say it’s time to bottle. Sometimes it takes a year, sometimes almost 2!! Learned not to rush things. Roy

 

[jgmann67]

I did that. It seems clear, but doesn't taste clear

What’s it taste like? If it tastes bitey or fizzy, you don’t have sentiment, you have gas.

 

[Gill]

So if a kit recipe says to let it clear for 10 days, there’s no issue letting it sit for months until I get around to bottling it? I don’t see why it would hurt, but I thought I would ask.

 

[jgmann67]

So if a kit recipe says to let it clear for 10 days, there’s no issue letting it sit for months until I get around to bottling it? I don’t see why it would hurt, but I thought I would ask.

Gill - if you’re at that point in the directions where it says, “Wait X days, then bottle,” yes. You can let it sit for a few months (or years) instead. Again, I’d taste it after the three months. If it’s ready, rack and dose to a clean carboy, then bottle. If not, rack, dose and wait three more months.

 

[Gill]

Gill - if you’re at that point in the directions where it says, “Wait X days, then bottle,” yes. You can let it sit for a few months (or years) instead. Again, I’d taste it after the three months. If it’s ready, rack and dose to a clean carboy, then bottle. If not, rack, dose and wait three more months.

Gill - if you’re at that point in the directions where it says, “Wait X days, then bottle,” yes. You can let it sit for a few months (or years) instead. Again, I’d taste it after the three months. If it’s ready, rack and dose to a clean carboy, then bottle. If not, rack, dose and wait three more months.

Awesome! Thank you for the response, I really appreciate it. It’s what what I thought, but didn’t have any clarification. What you say makes sense.