An aeration stone and aquarium pump will not work. Minimum tank height for direct sparging of pure oxygen is 7 feet, the bubbles have to dissolve into the wine before reaching the surface. Then you have to use a D.O.-probe regularly to ensure there is no accumulation of dissolved oxygen in the wine.
It's my understanding it is sometimes done commercially in SS tanks but under extremely controlled conditions.
If only I had one...Simple answer - use an oak barrel instead!
If only I had one...
If only I had one...
As an initial investment, spending $175 +/- to age a carboy of wine may seem a bit edgy, but think in longer time frames. In the first two years of life, before becoming neutral, my 6 gallon Vadai barrels saw 5 different wines. 150 bottles of wine amounts to $1.16 per bottle. In the ensuing years (2 more years), the barrels saw 4 more wines. So in 4 years, 9 batches of wine, or 270 bottles, at a per bottle cost of 65 cents per bottle. The barrels make a big difference in the development of wine and your finished product, even when they are neutral, and you can use them longer than 4 years.
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