Degassing.....Again!!!

[Flaco]

I need advice!!!! My first batch of WE Trinity Red is basically carbonated wine, made the mistake of bottling with still allot of C02. My next batch is the IM Black Raspberry and I transferred off the leesso I could get afew more weeks of settling. This time I tasted it and noticed C02 still present. Soooo I got out the my Fizz-x and went at it. Of course I still had allot of gas, but why????? I not only degassed with the Fizz-x at stabilizing but I also used a brake bleeder. The only thing is the temp was rpobably around 70, is that too low???? Can you guys tell me how and how long it takes you. I am really starting to get discouraged!!!! Thanks again

 

[Wade E]

75* is optimum for degassing and some wines are easier than others. I
believe this is what makes bulk aging such a desired option. It gives
the wine time to naturally degas. I spend about ten minutes with a
power drill then switch over to the brake bleeder before I add the
clarifier. After I rack off those lees I set up the bleeder again until
it holds around 20 hgs for at least 4 hours and then I check again just
before bottling which is usuall about 4 months later.

 

[Flaco]

Wade, is the key to the brake bleeder the fact that it holds a steady vacuum for a period of time? The one thing I did notice last night was that I was able to hold 15 hgs throughout the night, previously I could not hold a constant vacuum. I am assuming this means that the C02 has been removed and it has nothing to pull anymore??? I am going to get the temp up to 75 tonight and give it another shot, I will of course test it first to make sure that i am not doing too much.

 

[Wade E]

Yes, holding a consistant vacuum is the key and I think you should be all set now.

 

[Flaco]

Wade, since I am degassing this late in the process, should I add 1/4 tsp k-meta mixed in 1/2 cup of cool water. I am afraid of oxidation problems later!!! This is a IM Black Raspberry Merlot kit. Thanks allot!!

 

[Wade E]

How long has it been since you added the kits k-meta. If its been 3
months since then I would add it, if not then I would probably wait
until bottling time and degas prior to bottling.

 

[Flaco]

Wade, I added the kits K-meta about two weeks ago. I am planning on waiting another couple weeks and then bottling, should I degass again at this time? I took the temp. up to 75 last night and degassed one more time, it seems like there is endless amounts of C02???? Maybe I am getting too carried away.

 

[GrapeApe]

Flaco,


When you're degassing with the fizz-x are you being careful not to create a vortex in the carboy? This will suck more air into your wine.


Also your other option (as Wade has taught me) is to bulk age your wine in the carboy under and airlock. It will eventually go flat on its own.


Good luck.


GrapeApe.

 

[Flaco]

GrapeApe,


I am trying to not create a vortex by switching directions continuosly with my fizz-x. I guess I am just amazed at how much C02 you can get out. I am also confused at when it is time to say enough!!!


This being a IM kit, should you still bulk age?


Thanks

 

[Wade E]

Bulk aging can mean just an additional month in the carboy after
clearing and stabilizing. 2 kits that I did when I first started left
sediment in all my bottles because I bottled them on their due date and
they were both IM kits.I will add that they were Red Im kits and with
the red wines it is alot harder to know when they are truely clear. So
from then on I keep racking until no sediment falls anymore and by then
there is little to no gas left either.

 

[Flaco]

Thanks Wade,


I think I am good, I beat this subject up enough. I also like the idea of racking until there is no more sediment falling, I can not stand sediment in my bottles!!!!


Have you done a MM kit? How is their approach to degassing? They recommend 24hrs of degassing before clearing.

 

[Wade E]

Not yet but I have done the RJ Spagnols kits and they have you ferment
till finished in the bucket and this seems to really help getting all
the gas out of their wines. I may try that on my next scratch wine.

 

[smurfe]

Let me ask this to those that have made many Mist kits, are they supposed to have a carbonation taste? I only as as the commercial Mists I have tried do indeed have a tingle of carbonation to them. I actually have my first Mist kit going now and was wondering this when it comes time to stabilize which should be this next week. I didn't know if these kits truly mimicked the commercials like Arbor Mist.

 

[Wade E]

Of all the ones Ive tried there was no mimic of carbonation at all.

 

[Flaco]

Wade, congratulations on the new appointed gig!!! I would think George would want all his moderators to be seasoned with all his kits, maybe it is time that he lets you experience a MM Kit

Thanks again for all your help!!!

 

[Wade E]

I think maybe its time I let myself experience an MM kit!

George does everything short of just hand over a kit, believe me! Thanks as you guys got me to where I am today.

 

[Mike777]

This probably goes on this thread. I degassed the VR Cab, and it held between 18-24 so I thought I was fine. When I went to the local I picked up a small pack of medium oak american cubes. Reracked since there was a very thin layer of sediment, then soaked the cubes about 2 min in Sodium meta and added them with the thought of a check at 6weeks. The sawdust oak made almost no difference and the wife likes medium/heavy oak/vanilla.

Well the wine is chock full of gas again now! All I can figure is the cubes are giving a correct surface vs the smooth glass for it to come out in the taste last week my wife said she thought she could detact a tiny bit of carbonation still. (before adding the cubes) About half got heavy and sank the others are on top. Is this OK? I can only hold 15 for a couple hours now and 10 overnight.

 

[Wade E]

Any pourous surface will help you get rid of more gas.

 

[Mark]

Any recommendations on household things that are porous enough yet easy to thoroughly sanitize?I remember reading recently that someone used a marble, but those are fairly smooth.

 

[Wade E]

Thats kinda the problem with pourous objects as theyre very hard to
sanitize properly. My best advise to you is let it bulk age and do its
thing naturally. Or just add the oak cubes to everything!

Edited by: wade