Filter Problems

[old-n]

I have made 4 gallons of plum dessert wine, but:-

I have cleared it with Isinglas Finings and the wine looks clear in the demi-john, but

It will not go through a filter, a third then it is blocked up,

So I tried putting it through two coffee filters in a funnel I had to change the filters three times to get a gallon through.

Then I tried the filter again and it looks as half a gallon went through, and it is blocked up again.

I have, as I always do, Stopped it, Cleared it with Isinglas Finings, Let It stand, Racked It, Put it through a two Coffee Filters inside each other in a funnel, Then The Filter [A Boots Filter]

But it will no work this time????

Old-n

 

[Wade E]

Im not going to even get into the "Stopping" part right now. The filter you are using is known over here as the Vinbrite gravity filter which I used to use and still own. Im not sure if you are using the paper filters or the pads but I know when I used it I had to make sure I kept the racking cane far away from any sediment meaning the bottom until the very last second cause any little bit would clog these filter pads. A 6 gallon batch would always take about 45 minutes to run through this filter even when crystal clear and the filter didnt clog! I will say if this is a dark wine maybe you think its clear and its truly not?

 

[Ernest T Bass]

I have a vinebrite filter and in mho, if it is clear enough to filter 5 gallons without plugging up, it doesn't need filtering. I still filter some, but it's hard to tell the filtered from the unfiltered (if you let it clear on its' own)


Semper Fi

 

[SBWs]

I use this link (article) when it comes to fining it has some very good information.

Under Isinglass it says: Isinglass produces high lees volumes which settle badly and cling to vessel walls. Wine may therefore require two rackings following isinglass fining. Filtering should only be done when the wine is well clear of isinglass as the agent will clog filters.

You may want to also use Bentonite (also covered in the article) if you can get it and give it a few weeks to settle out then try again.

 

[Wade E]

Yeah, I dont use it as it surely has terrible flocculation properties!!! Very easily disturbed even after sutting awhile also.

 

[Runningwolf]

I have a vinebrite filter and in mho, if it is clear enough to filter 5 gallons without plugging up, it doesn't need filtering. I still filter some, but it's hard to tell the filtered from the unfiltered (if you let it clear on its' own)


Semper Fi

I respectfully totally disagree with you Bud, unless this wine is just for your enjoyment and no one else is drinking it. I spend a lot of tiome with my wine and want to make sure it is show room ready before I bottle it. Even clear wine will sparkle after a filtering.

 

[old-n]

SBWS I always rack and put it through two coffee filters in a funnel before using my Boots Filter.

A friend of mine says it is something that comes with just Plums Dessert

I have been making wine for about 20 years and never had this before.

Wade E it is a filter pad, not one of these thin paper ones never got on with them.

I filter all my wine because, I enter a number of competitions and I just have to fill my bottles.

Thanks to all for your comments Old-n

 

[SBWs]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to remember this, I have a plum wine going right now made from Vintner's Harvest Plum Fruit Wine Base. I know it's taking it forever to clear. It was the longest time before it cleared at all and now it's got a little haze to it. I always use bentonite in the primary but I haven't used any other fining agent yet. I wonder if it isn't a pectin haze problem, I know Jack Keller has how to check for this on his site, I'll have to go read up.

 

[Arne]

I use this link (article) when it comes to fining it has some very good information.

Under Isinglass it says: Isinglass produces high lees volumes which settle badly and cling to vessel walls. Wine may therefore require two rackings following isinglass fining. Filtering should only be done when the wine is well clear of isinglass as the agent will clog filters.

You may want to also use Bentonite (also covered in the article) if you can get it and give it a few weeks to settle out then try again.

Great link. Lottsa info there. Maybe we ought to see if it could be copied and used as a Sticky. Hey Mods, check it out. Arne.

 

[Wade E]

Old'n, would you mind sharing the recipe for this Plum? Is this a thicker type dessert wine?

 

[old-n]

Wade E the recipe

22 lbs of frozen large red plums, five frozen black bananas. With per gallon 1 tsp citric acid

1 tsp pectolase Yeast nutrient Gervin Red wine yeast Tannin, 1tsp

Leave the plums to get a little soft and cut in half, add the bananas add the pectolase and leave for 24 hours in the bucket.

Then add a couple of lbs of sugar with the Yeast – nutrient - tannin, brew in the bucket for 5 or 6 days the drain off.

The add the sugar until you get about 12 - 13% and about 130sg

If you do not squeeze the fruit, add a couple of Lts of 100% Apple Juice [I get mine from Lidl] pour it over the Plums and Bananas and have a second brew, you get a light Red wine.

Hope that helps

 

[old-n]

Sorry posted twice

 

[old-n]

I know a lady with a big garden, and when the new fruit comes she empties her freezer ready for the new fruit and I get the contents, and she get some wine.

Recycling

 

[wvbrewer]

What is the most popular fruit wine over there, and how big is home wine making as a hobby? I was just wondering.

Dave

 

[old-n]

I am a member of a wine club, most of the members are 60 plus, the membership as dropped by about a third in the last 5 or 6 years, no new members in that time.

Only about half the members make wine now, it is turning more into a social club that a wine club.

We do have an annual competition between members, plus Taste and Tell, and one where we make from the same recipe. The is a national competition which two of our member enter [no me]

See last posting about fruit for making wine

 

[Wade E]

How many lbs per gallon is that recipe? Viewing from phone so sorry if I missed it.

 

[old-n]

Sorry Wade I did not get back to you I have been ill.

It made 4 Gallons

 

[winemaker_3352]

I respectfully totally disagree with you Bud, unless this wine is just for your enjoyment and no one else is drinking it. I spend a lot of tiome with my wine and want to make sure it is show room ready before I bottle it. Even clear wine will sparkle after a filtering.

I agree 100% with you Dan. I can tell which wines i have filtered and which ones are just clear.