Oak cubes when racking

[Countrygent]

I have racked some Pinot noir into glass carboys and MLF continues. Had a mild sulphur issue (probably left on the gross lees a day or two too long), so dosed with Reduless, and will be racking after 72 hours according to recommended use.

Q: There are oak cubes in the carboys, they have sunk into the lees. After racking can I just scrub them in a strainer, rinse with Star San, and throw back into the wine when it is returned to the cleaned carboys? My guess is no problem as long as sanitation is OK?

 

[Johnd]

I have racked some Pinot noir into glass carboys and MLF continues. Had a mild sulphur issue (probably left on the gross lees a day or two too long), so dosed with Reduless, and will be racking after 72 hours according to recommended use.

Q: There are oak cubes in the carboys, they have sunk into the lees. After racking can I just scrub them in a strainer, rinse with Star San, and throw back into the wine when it is returned to the cleaned carboys? My guess is no problem as long as sanitation is OK?

I would think that if you collect them in a strainer and simply rinse the lees off, they'd be fine to go right back in, a little spritz with a sanitizer certainly wouldn't hurt the effort.....

 

[masic2000]

Do we need to sanitize the oak chips right out of the bag. It seems we would lose some of the aroma and effects if we pre-wash and sanitize them. What do you think.

 

[Countrygent]

I sanitized mine - I can always add more, but contaminating the wine if the cubes carry some bacteria or spores would be the worst outcome?

 

[jumby]

Do we need to sanitize the oak chips right out of the bag. It seems we would lose some of the aroma and effects if we pre-wash and sanitize them. What do you think.

I don't. I add them directly to my wine. Sanitizing them will wash off some of the char.

 

[sour_grapes]

I do not either. I add 'em right from the packaging.

 

[masic2000]

Hmm, I think we need to know how they are handled and packaged before consumer use.

 

[GaDawg]

If you add the oak cubes before you wine clears you got to clean them off after racking. I have had success adding my oak cubes after the wine clears. It takes a little longer but the ox is slow, but the earth is patient.

 

[masic2000]

Should oak cubes be taken out once fermentation has stopped or can we leave them in longer, would there be any benefit.

 

[GaDawg]

Should oak cubes be taken out once fermentation has stopped or can we leave them in longer, would there be any benefit.

I use oak chips, or in some cases oak dust during fermentation. It doesn’t add oak flavor, it adds body. After my wine clears, I add oak cubes for 6 weeks. Rack and bottle.