WineXpert primary/secondary time question

[Cottentop]

Hi all,
I made a winexpert Cab/Merlot kit recently. Instructions say to rack it into secondary after 5-7 days and then, after another 10 days and with the SG <.996, move onto Clarifying/Stabilizing.

Well, after 5-7 days, the SG was higher than it should have been to rack it and then I didn't check it again until almost 2 weeks after I started. At that point, the SG was .994. So, I racked it.

My question is this: do I need to wait 10 days after the racking stage before moving onto stabilizing or can I do it now (~4 days in secondary)? It's been a total of about 17 days total and the SG reading IS below where it should be for stabilizing. BUT, since the first stage lasted longer than it was supposed to, I'm not sure if the 2nd stage can be shortened.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[sour_grapes]

There is nothing magical about the 10 days. You can move on when you want to. That having been said, I leave mine for 15 days in secondary.

 

[Cottentop]

thanks sour_grapes.

I've made about 10 kits so far, but after reading over these forums some, I see I have SO much to learn. Can I get a comment on two things I'm seeing mentioned here but that I don't do (yet!)

1 - I keep my wine in the buckets for each step along the way. i.e. I don't use glass carboys for any step in the process. I'm sensing that I should pony up and get some glass carboys for the time spent after stabilizing

2 - bulk aging. I try to follow the instructions in the kits but I'm sensing that I should think about a pre-bottling step that lasts several months in a glass carboy vs. the 2-4 weeks the kits' instructions recommend in my handy buckets.

so much to learn...think I'll pour another glass and continue to do more research

 

[sour_grapes]

Oh, jeez, you have made more kits than I have!

Here are the guidelines that I use: http://winemakermag.com/blogs/making-your-kit-wine-shine-redeaux

I have a limited number of carboys, and I am charting a compromise between carboy-aging time and kit throughput. This timeline seems to be working pretty well so far.

 

[Putterrr]

Here are the guidelines that I use: http://winemakermag.com/blogs/making-your-kit-wine-shine-redeaux

I have a limited number of carboys, and I am charting a compromise between carboy-aging time and kit throughput. This timeline seems to be working pretty well so far.

I have found that following the 5-90 system will most likely result in sediment in the reds if not filtered before bottling. Can't comment on sediment if filtering is done since I dont filter (as of yet)

cheers

 

[sour_grapes]

I have found that following the 5-90 system will most likely result in sediment in the reds if not filtered before bottling. Can't comment on sediment if filtering is done since I dont filter (as of yet)

cheers

Okay, good to know. I don't plan to filter, either. If I get some sediment, well, Que Syrah, Syrah

 

[jamesngalveston]

I bought a filter system, used it one time...it sits in the corner of the cabinet, have not needed to use it ....

 

[kmarvel]

Hi all,
I made a winexpert Cab/Merlot kit recently. Instructions say to rack it into secondary after 5-7 days and then, after another 10 days and with the SG <.996, move onto Clarifying/Stabilizing.

Well, after 5-7 days, the SG was higher than it should have been to rack it and then I didn't check it again until almost 2 weeks after I started. At that point, the SG was .994. So, I racked it.

My question is this: do I need to wait 10 days after the racking stage before moving onto stabilizing or can I do it now (~4 days in secondary)? It's been a total of about 17 days total and the SG reading IS below where it should be for stabilizing. BUT, since the first stage lasted longer than it was supposed to, I'm not sure if the 2nd stage can be shortened.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Don't get too hung up on the number of days. It depends on the wine and the SG readings mostly. If the SG is where it is supposed to be on the instructions, rack that puppy. Wine is pretty forgiving. I would rack it and stabilize it. Don't forget to beat the hell out of it to get the gasses out. lol

Wine sounds delicious!!! Good luck and enjoy the process!!


Kathie