Harvested too early?

[tbayav8er]

Hi Everyone,

Total newbie here with making wine from grapes. I allowed my marquette vine to grow grapes for the first time this year. I just picked and crushed all of the grapes today. The juice is sort of a green colour. Will it turn red during fermentation? Or did I pick the grapes too early? PH is about 3.5, and SG is 1.090.

Thanks!

 

[Stressbaby]

Numbers look good enough so I'd say you didn't pick too early. Fermenting on the skins should extract the color.

 

[Jay A]

Looks good, skins will give up color during primary.

 

[tbayav8er]

Thanks! I just have the one vine, so only doing about a gallon of wine. I'm letting the juice sit on the skins/seeds in a pail until I can get some yeast at the store tomorrow morning. That should be okay, no?

 

[Jay A]

Keep it cool

 

[tbayav8er]

Here's a picture of what I got.

 

[Jay A]

not familiar with Marquette grapes. How old is the vine?

 

[tbayav8er]

This is the vine's 4th summer. This is the first year I allowed it to produce fruit.

 

[Jay A]

I had 10 Chardonnay vines for 20 years. Lots of work, always spraying something for a fungus or mildew. One year I did get 5 gallons out of them. pulled them out this year. Good luck!!!

 

[tbayav8er]

Added pectic enzyme, and pitched the yeast about 5 hours ago. Already starting to develop more of a red colour.

 

[CDrew]

Pectic enzymes or the more processed enzymes like Lallemand EX/ EX-V are like magic substance. THey start breaking down the must before the yeast even gets a chance. It will make better wine. It seemed to make good color an body for me within 12 hours. Highly recommended.