Racking off gross lees - timing

[Foldyard]

I have had to delay this step because the stoppers for my carboys were the wrong size and I had to order some more. This means a 4 day gap between pressing and racking. Is this likely to cause a problem?

 

[winemaker81]

No. Folks doing EM have a delay up to 8 weeks before pressing/racking off the gross lees.

I typically rack 1 to 3 weeks after pressing.

 

[Hazelemere]

I have had to delay this step because the stoppers for my carboys were the wrong size and I had to order some more. This means a 4 day gap between pressing and racking. Is this likely to cause a problem?

saranwrap the tops with elastics

 

[VinesnBines]

saranwrap the tops with elastics

If the stoppers are too small, wrap with plastic wrap or Teflon tape. If the stoppers are too big, like Hazelmere says, use plastic wrap or clean plastic baggies and a rubber band over the top.

 

[Rice_Guy]

Wine, (at least high tannin red wine) is very forgiving.

Remember in the old days, ,,, before 1900 folks didn’t have rubber stoppers and they used cork or wood with bees wax. ,,, And before 1500 they didn’t have cork so they used clays and oil. ,,, And in 1903 the New Settlement Cookbook said let the must go till nature started the fermentation and let it run till it stopped. ,,, We are losing something by not watching how grandpa made wine.

 

[Foldyard]

Txs all.

 

[Jovimaple]

@Foldyard Welcome to WMT!