Malolactic complete?

[nicklausjames]

I started malolactic ferm about 3.5 weeks ago in 3 wine: 15 gallon cab sauv/franc blend, 11 gallon amarone juice and 7 gallon barolo juice. The bacteria was vp 41 and I kept in a heated space 70-75 degrees.

I did chromatography yesterday and it appears the malo has turned to lactic in all the wines, however the can sauv still has many small bubbles at the top. Should I leave another couple weeks or is it done?

 

[ibglowin]

Could you post a pic of your chromatogram? I would let it go a couple more weeks if your still seeing signs of activity/bubbles.

 

[geek]

Yeah, couple of pics would be nice,
I have the same Amarone from MM Fresco also going through MLF with vp41.


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[nicklausjames]

. Here it is.

 

[geek]

Looks done but as Mike said I'd leave alone for couple more weeks.


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[ibglowin]

Its looking good. Hard to tell due to the angle of the paper but it appears you might have a little malic left (slight smear). I would let it go another week or two. Do another test and if it looks the same or better then go ahead and sulfite it.

 

[LeChat]

View attachment 18884. Here it is.

I agree with mike, it looks like you have a little bit of malo left in the Cab and Barolo.

Also, I now know to give you socks for Xmas this year

 

[sour_grapes]

Also, I now know to give you socks for Xmas this year

When I first saw the picture, I thought it was the world's largest piece of chromatography paper!

(A bit of forced perspective?)

 

[nicklausjames]

So I waited and re ran chromatography. 2nd chrom was run about twelve days after first. I added two chardonaays which obviously aren't done. Think the others are done? My issue is there are still several small bubbles at the top of the cab sauv.

As u can see I wore my slippers this time.

 

[nicklausjames]

Here is a pic of the bubbles in the cab sauv. It's not actively bubbling there just is a rim of bubbles.

 

[cmason1957]

Most of the others appear to not show Malic acid. To me that means wait another few weeks and then rack and add kmeta. The minimum resolution of chromatography is something like 50 ppm, that is why I always wait a bit after the test says maybe done. Just a safety factor.