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[fleaman1970]

Here's what my strawberry wine looks like in the primary fermentor. I started it about three weeks ago. Does this film look familiar to anyone? I suspect it got contaminated in the process.


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[mjrisenhoover]

3 weeks is a long time in the primary, I just transferred my strawberry wine to glass jugs after it was pretty much done fermenting, around 0.996 SG. Took about 7 days to ferment dry. I have no clue what you can do now, do you know when or if it finished fermenting?

 

[seth8530]

Can you tell us more about your process? Did you put the strawberries in stockings or a sock of some kind?

 

[fleaman1970]

Can you tell us more about your process? Did you put the strawberries in stockings or a sock of some kind?

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[fleaman1970]

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I put the fresh strawberries in a nylon bag. I was very meticulous when it came to sanitation. I used a brewing bucket as the primary fermenter. The batch was in the primary for about three weeks. I do admit it was longer than I planned but was unavoidable. I did use campden tablets for the first day before I pitched the yeast. I used red star cote des blancs yeast. I used a six gallon recipe but I split it into two three gallon buckets each with the identical contents. I attached the picture of the bucket that had this film on the surface, however the other bucket did not. The bucket that didn't have the film, I strained the strawberries and siphoned into a secondary. The fermentation was complete with a final gravity of 0.996. The other bucket is still in the primary. I'm hoping someone can assure me one way or the other before I toss that bucket. I appreciate all responses and advice.


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[seth8530]

How does the bucket with the film taste? Is it much different than the other side?

 

[fleaman1970]

I was afraid to taste it. The smell wasn't any different. I'll taste it today and report back.


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[Julie]

Have you been taking hydrometer readings periodically? And have you been stirring it?

 

[seth8530]

Yeah, I guess before you do taste it, it would be a good idea to check the gravity first.

 

[fleaman1970]

I haven't taken a gravity reading since the original, but I did press down the cap everyday of the first week. I had to go out of town after the first week so it hasn't been stirred since then. I thought the co2 from the ferment would keep oxygen out and it would be safe from spoilage/contamination, I'm not sure. I'm a little scared to taste it not knowing what the film is. I'll take a gravity reading today.


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[mjrisenhoover]

That film could be all kinds of nasty stuff but I think the important question is how it tastes and smells. If it tastes and smells okay I would rack it into a clean carboy and stabilize it. I think if you are afraid to taste it, you might have answered your own question.

 

[pjd]

I say dump it! 3 weeks in primary is way too long. No way would I taste that!