G'Day

[JONJON]

New to winemaking. Have 20 boxes of Shiraz grapes coming on the 21st March to crush. Never done wine before so will most likely be asking a few questions. Based in Melbourne, Australia. Cheers Jon

 

[sour_grapes]

Welcome aboard, Jon. Diving in at the deep end -- I like it!

 

[Rice_Guy]

Welcome to wine making talk.

You did say twenty, ,,, this may work out to be a long day, ,,, unless you have teenagers to help stomp them.

 

[JONJON]

Welcome aboard, Jon. Diving in at the deep end -- I like it!

Go hard or go home, haha

 

[JONJON]

Welcome to wine making talk.

You did say twenty, ,,, this may work out to be a long day, ,,, unless you have teenagers to help stomp them.

Yep 20 x 18kg. I've hired a grape crusher/destemmer for the day and have a few mates helping out, bbq etc.

 

[David Violante]

Sounds like fun! Welcome to WMT! Looking forward to seeing and hearing how it goes ~ and ask away. There is a lot of good information here from some amazing wine makers. Also, read through the forums and search a bunch. It's easy to get lost in the weeds so if you need to, ask away! It's far better to do so earlier than later on~

 

[JONJON]

Sounds like fun! Welcome to WMT! Looking forward to seeing and hearing how it goes ~ and ask away. There is a lot of good information here from some amazing wine makers. Also, read through the forums and search a bunch. It's easy to get lost in the weeds so if you need to, ask away! It's far better to do so earlier than later on~

Thanks so much David

 

[G259]

I'm sitting here thinking "I have no idea how much you know about wine making". You said you were new, but how new, do have equipment, and/or some knowledge of wine making? We love to help here, but . . . where to start! I'm going to venture out here, even though I only make wine kits, judging by the reaction on the amount, I hope you have a wine barrel available! Lol!

 

[JONJON]

I'm sitting here thinking "I have no idea how much you know about wine making". You said you were new, but how new, do have equipment, and/or some knowledge of wine making? We love to help here, but . . . where to start! I'm going to venture out here, even though I only make wine kits, judging by the reaction on the amount, I hope you have a wine barrel available!

I make cider so have a press, 500L fermenting tub, 6 x 54L demijohns. I also make vinegar which is in barrels but can get more. Was going to second ferment in demijohns with oak instead of using barrels (still need to research the oak part, was thinking filling a tube with holes with oak shavings and putting in for a few days)

 

[G259]

OK, now we're off! You know about equipment, fermenting, sanitizing, etc. I didn't know if you were pre-school or High- school (you might have a Degree!) The tube thing sounds like it will work. Are wine additives an issue (I'll imagine you know), like Pot. Meta., sorbate, tannins, nutrient, etc.

 

[JONJON]

OK, now we're off! You know about equipment, fermenting, sanitizing, etc. I didn't know if you were pre-school or High- school (you might have a Degree!) The tube thing sounds like it will work. Are wine additives an issue (I'll imagine you know), like Pot. Meta., sorbate, tannins, nutrient, etc.

I use to pot meta and citric to hold my barrels in between vinegars. Haven't used in wine so will need tips on how much to add and when. I read you do it each time you rack? My brew shop said to add pot met (i've got 20g for 20 boxes) and enzyme colour plus (4g) after crushing then add yeast next day. Sorbate, tannins, nutrient i'll need help.

 

[JONJON]

OK, now we're off! You know about equipment, fermenting, sanitizing, etc. I didn't know if you were pre-school or High- school (you might have a Degree!) The tube thing sounds like it will work. Are wine additives an issue (I'll imagine you know), like Pot. Meta., sorbate, tannins, nutrient, etc.

I've also used Pectinex to break down fruits for more yield making vinegars. Would this be used in winemaking?

 

[G259]

It might be used as a clearing agent, I'm thinking. BTW wine is pretty forgiving, so if you miss a rack for a month, probably ok. I know that you know the rest, sorbate - all done! -edit- I think you're right, pectinase breaks down the cell walls of the fruit, giving more yield. Used early, I believe that it is used pre-fermentation. Thinking something else.

 

[JONJON]

It might be used as a clearing agent, I'm thinking. BTW wine is pretty forgiving, so if you miss a rack for a month, probably ok. I know that you know the rest, sorbate - all done! -edit- I think you're right, pectinase breaks down the cell walls of the fruit, giving more yield. Used early, I believe that it is used pre-fermentation. Thinking something else.

I just looked up enzyme colour plus that the brew shop gave me. It's pretty much like pectinase. -

Micro-granulated enzyme for maceration of red grapes. EnartisZym Color Plus is effective in the extraction and mainly in the stabilization of color compounds. Its secondary activities, cellulase and hemicellulase, degrade cell walls, thus accelerating and increasing the solubility of anthocyanins and tannins associated with cellular structures. The protease activity degrades proteins and decreases their ability to precipitate tannins and pigments. EnartisZym Color Plus results in wines with a bigger structure and with intense and stable color.

Thanks for your help.

 

[winemaker81]

@JONJON -- keep your vinegar equipment away from your wine!!! Unless you're planning to make Shiraz vinegar ...

 

[JONJON]

lol thanks I will

 

[SeniorHobby]

New to winemaking. Have 20 boxes of Shiraz grapes coming on the 21st March to crush. Never done wine before so will most likely be asking a few questions. Based in Melbourne, Australia. Cheers Jon

Hello JonJon,
We watch the Eagle's concert from Melbourne Australia, glad to meet someone from across the globe!

 

[JONJON]

Hello JonJon,
We watch the Eagle's concert from Melbourne Australia, glad to meet someone from across the globe!

Hey SeniorHobby,
Glad to meet you too. Great concert

 

[heatherd]

Welcome to the forum and hobby. Here's a link to how to make red wine, although you won't be freezing your grapes, this is otherwise similar:
https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...daefa6cb5d98470/1577680834459/redguiderfs.pdf

 

[GeoffMcG]

Welcome to the forum. I interested to see how you go. I'm also based in Melbourne (well.. Korumburra) and had a 100kg of Shiraz from Heathcote on order but had to cancel because delivery ended up clashing with a booked holiday. I still have my own Pinot noir & Chardonnay grapes so not at a loose end.
Good luck