WineXpert How Much Is Bulk?

[bmorosco]

Ok I have an off question. some people like to bulk age their wine but what is the determining factor of the word bulk? Does 23 ltr qualify as bulk? I have read on other websites that bulk aging is more than 23 ltr . Will the taste be diffrent if I bulk age 23ltr compared to 46 ltr of the same wine? I need to understand why you would bulk age instead of bottling and let it age in the bottles..Sorry for my ignorance with this question ..I am new...Im sure you can tell..

 

[Wade E]

Dont be sorry thats why this forum exists. Bulk aging is to keep the
maximum amout of wine together in one bottle to age so that the whole
batch tastes the same and so that the tannins in your wine group
together in a chain like molecules and produce a more complex body in
your wine. not to mention when it is in a bottle and corked it is ready
to drink and harder to keep your hands off.

 

[kutya]

I agree with Wade. I " bulk" age 1 gal jugs sometimes. It helps to keep me from drinking it. Although, I have heard of a carboy straw?????

 

[bmorosco]

Ok thanks ... So my next batch of red I will bulk age ...

 

[Waldo]

I have always considered more wine than I can drink in one session as "Bulk"

 

[bmorosco]

I have always considered more wine than I can drink in one session as "Bulk"

Now thats a measurment!! Thanks Waldo..

 

[smurfe]

I think bulk age means what ever size container you make the wine in. Bulk could be a gallon jug or a 1000 gallon tank. Normally for home wine makers it is a 5 or 6 gallon carboy and for wineries it is their oak barrels.


From all of the opinions you gather about bulk aging there is no benefit to it over keeping you out of it. I tried it on a few batches and myself found it actually easier to dip into the wine in the carboy over the bottles. I would just dip my wine thief in to get a taste. I am more dedicated to the bottles as I tell myself, DO I really think this wine is ready to open? I normally do not if I question myself.


Wade makes valid points in regards to the structure of the wine and body and I lean that way but different experts will agree or disagree with this statement. Some say it will add no benefit but actually any age to your wine will benefit it in some way. My last 2 kits were bulk aged and it was kind of nice to be able to pop a bottle open after a month in the bottle and it was ready to drink.


Smurfe

Smurfe

 

[bmorosco]

Thanks for all the Info! I am definately going to Bulk age One of the ones I have going Now..What is a good length of bulk aging before bottling??

 

[smurfe]

Thanks for all the Info! I am definately going to Bulk age One of the ones I have going Now..What is a good length of bulk aging before bottling??

It really depends on the type of wine. A Vintners Reserve kit will require less time than a Crushendo although many say a Crushendo is actually quick to drink but if you age that Crushendo for a couple years you are going to be quite pleased.


My last two were in the carboy around 5 months before I got around to bottling it. I didn't really bulk age on purpose, I was just so busy with school I kept putting it off. I knew it would only benefit the wine so I was under no pressure to get it into the bottle.


I have aSuper TuscanCrushendo I finally got started yesterday I have hadsitting here since George had them on special (June I believe)and an Estate Series Woodbridge Cab I have had sitting here since Winestock (May). I am done with school so I now have the time again to dedicate to winemaking. I plan on trying to bulk age these at least 6 months. It all depends on my carboy requirements. If I need one and have no empties, I will bottle to free up the glass.


I will probably bottle the Crushendo first though as I have quite a bit of Cab Sav. on hand but only 5 bottles of Rosso Fortissimo (a super tuscan) left which has been my favorite I ever made. Good luck!


Smurfe

 

[NorthernWinos]

The first few batches of wine I tried to bulk age....would also use the wine thief [aka...turkey baster] to taste it....when I couldn't reach the wine anymore...it was time to bottle....

Edited by: Northern Winos

 

[bmorosco]

The first few batches of wine I tried to bulk age....would also use the wine thief [aka...turkey baster] to taste it....when I couldn't reach the wine anymore...it was time to bottle....

Now that is dedication!!

 

[Danny]

I like to bulk age in 3 gallon carboys and have 3 of them just for that purpose. At the last racking of the kit before bottling, I divide the 6 gallon carboy between two 3 gallon ones. When the kit instructions say it's time to bottle, I go ahead and bottle one of the smaller carboys (makes 15 bottles) and leave the other till the first 15 bottles are about half gone. I'm not a heavy drinker, so that lets the wine keep longer, also.

 

[bmorosco]

Now that is a good Idea...I might have to Give George some of my money and get me some...