Noob Question re Bulk aging

[Kel Milner]

Hi Guys. I’m brand new to this great forum and to brand new to wine making. I have my first ever 30 Bottle kit in primary FV and it’s bubbling away nicely. I was intending to rack to my 23 litre PET carboy and bottle once stabilised and cleared. However the majority of you guys strongly recommend bulk aging even for cheaper kits. I need to build up some drinking stock ASAP so I can consider better kits and some fruit or real grape attempts. Money is a bit tight at the moment so was limited with my starting equipment choices hence the PET Carboy and not glass. My question is this. Should I age for a few months in the PET CARBOY (this will stall starting my next batch) or bottle sooner and get another on the go? I will get more storage/making equipment but probably not this side of Christmas. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer a struggling Brit.

 

[salcoco]

the wine will age in the bottle. insure wine is clear and stable. wine will change over time.

 

[pillswoj]

Agreed, Bottle age if clear and stable. Bulk aging is good if you have the room and carboys to spare. I bulk age most of my reds but will often bottle earlier then planned if I am low on carboys / space, for me that is at around 8 or 9 batches.

 

[Scooter68]

One more vote for bottle then age - in this situation. You may suffer some sediment build up or crystals dropping out but just go with it.

I need to free up a carboy also and I have a plum wine that went crystal clear in less than 2 months. Thinking of checking it to see if I will go that same route. It seems pretty stable but I'll decide at the next racking point in few weeks. If it's good to go I may bottle and age, not my preference.

 

[CK55]

One more vote for bottle then age - in this situation. You may suffer some sediment build up or crystals dropping out but just go with it.

I need to free up a carboy also and I have a plum wine that went crystal clear in less than 2 months. Thinking of checking it to see if I will go that same route. It seems pretty stable but I'll decide at the next racking point in few weeks. If it's good to go I may bottle and age, not my preference.

If you want a wine to clear fast then Kieselsol and Chitosan will do it, you can usually see some reaction within 8 hours. And by 2-5 days it's as clear as you are gonna get.

 

[Kel Milner]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. Bottle aging it is until I get a couple more car boys. By the way sorry for posting in here I probably should’ve posted in the beginners section. I’ve learnt so much from you guys already. Thanks again.

 

[kevinlfifer]

To build an inventory you need to make wine fast without rushing, tough balance. I made 6 of the Fontana kits in the spring because I couldn't find time to go pick up juice buckets. I was really happy with the way they turned out. They drink well and I started them May 1st. I did tweak them with frozen fruit, dried fruit, or preserves.

I don't use the clearing agents any longer, my wife is sensitive to shellfish. I was still able to bottle some after 3 months from start date. If you use the clearing agents you should hit close to the 4 wk mark to bottle.

Try the 4 gallon water bottles as carboys. I get them free at the Primo machine at our Walmart. I don't know what might be available to you over there. https://www.winemakingtalk.com/threads/pet-carboys-better-bottle-and-knockoffs.50087/