Mlf test resulta

[geek]

This is my merlot/cab Sav juice buckets and fresh grapes mix, looks like it needs more time.

Pitched VP41 May 15.


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[Boatboy24]

Getting close.

 

[homer]

Can you explain the test and pictures to me, thanks. bk

 

[geek]

Since I'm going away for 3 weeks it will have to wait for the week of July 21 to get another test, hoping it will be just fine, still bubbling away, stirred last night and lots of tiny bubbles coming up....


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[Boatboy24]

Can you explain the test and pictures to me, thanks. bk

The first three samples from the left (Malic, Tart, Lactic) are the "control". The dots there indicate where on the sheet you need to look, basically. The next two items (it looks like "Cab/Merlot Demijohn" and "Jug") are the actual wine samples. You will notice both samples have dots at the levels of all three of the acids (Malic, Tartaric, Lactic), but the dots on the malic level appear to be much lighter than the other two. This indicates that MLF is progressing, but not yet done. At the completion of malolactic fermentation, the malic acid should all have been converted by the bacteria to lactic, and there would be no dot on the malic line for the wine samples.

Here's a good write up on Malolactic fermentation:

http://www.morebeer.com/public/pdf/wmlfinfo.pdf

And another on Chromatography testing:

http://morebeer.com/public/wine/Product Directions/MLchroma.pdf

 

[geek]

you got it Jim.... cab/merlot in demijohn and same on a jug.....

 

[cintipam]

Thank you Jim. I've always been confused by those test strips. Your explanation was really clear and helpful.

Pam in cinti

 

[geek]

Did another test last night, checked paper this morning but still see a trace/smear in the center, what you think? this is almost a month after first test in my original post....picture coming up now....

 

[geek]

See these pictures...




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[ibglowin]

Looks pretty done to me. Trace of Malic still but the Lactic test blot looks about as prominent as your Lactic sample blots.

 

[Boatboy24]

Looks pretty done to me. Trace of Malic still but the Lactic test blot looks about as prominent as your Lactic sample blots.

Agree - and it doesn't look much different than your last test.

 

[geek]

Thanks Mike, I always only look at the malic trace in the middle, but it is good to compare as you said.
I think I will add sulfite in the weekend.

 

[geek]

Guys, I haven't stabilized this batch because I still see lots of tiny bubbles coming up, checked for the last 3 days.

So.......I'm not sure if that is just gas or still MLF???

I degassed this before MLF in that demi-john but not a lot because it created a volcano and lost some wine.

Again, pitched VP41 May 15.

Thoughts...!!!!

..

 

[Boatboy24]

Only way to know is to run a chromatography.

 

[geek]

Yeah but i ran one just recently and looks like complete....


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[Boatboy24]

If the chromo looks done, why the wait?

 

[geek]

I know, it is the tiny bubbles that I see coming up, there are lots of them so I kind of stopped and thought if the MLF was still chugging along....

 

[Boatboy24]

You may simply be degassing, as you said. No harm in running another chromo, just to be 110% certain. But I'd want to be getting some KMeta on that soon.

 

[geek]

Roger that....I will start a test this afternoon and post results tomorrow morning....stay tuned....

Thanks for following along...

 

[geek]

Here are the test results, I don't see much change from previous test done 7/23.
I'm going to call it done regardless of the malic trace leftover.

There are still lots of actively tiny bubbles going up and I am hoping it is just lots of gas trapped.

See these pictures..




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