Other Reusing Oak Cubes (FWK)

[idahorevbob]

OK, just racked a Cab Sauv from a 6 gallon carboy down to a 5 gallon because I still had too much headspace and didn't want to add ANOTHER two bottles to top up (already added 4 at the start.....no way did I get anywhere near 6 gallons ....but I digress). I had about 1/2 gallon extra that we are drinking and it is the best I've made so far, so I'm happy...so is the wife...my biggest critic.

My question is: after racking, all the oak cubes were in the bottom of the first carboy with the lees. I swooshed 'em out and rinsed the lees off. Now, do I add them back into the second carboy? Toss 'em? Make a very small fire? If I do add them, should I soak in vodka to sterilize? What is the airspeed of an unladen sparrow? So many questions. (probably shouldn't post after "testing" a large quantity of the extra Cab! Too late.)

OBTW, the Cab is from FWK and I had some issues with the instructions, but it's still the best kit so far (4 total). I am at three months in bulk aging and planning on six months. No way my patience level will wait a full year.....lets be honest, might not make six.

I already know that some of the replies will basically ask, "well, do you want more oak flavor"? The answer is: 'I don't know'. Tastes great now. So, I guess this question is more for future kits. Do I keep the oak or not?

 

[cmason1957]

If the cubes were in the wine for more than about two months (Maybe less), they have no more oak flavor to give up. So my vote is keep the oak to put on your BBQ.

 

[idahorevbob]

Ooh. BBQ. excellent idea!

 

[winemaker81]

I saved oak for a year, drying it well, and used it in smoker!

I concur with Craig. A few years back my son & I did an experiment. I added 6 oz cubes to a 54 liter barrel for 3 months (roughly 2 oz/5 gallons). Racked the wine, rinsed the cubes well, and air dried them.

My son had a 6 gallon batch of Shiraz, so we sanitized the cubes and added all 6 oz to the wine for 3 or 4 months. The net effect was maybe half of the oak flavoring we'd expect from 2 oz cubes in 6 gallons, e.g., about 1/6 of the oak character was left in the cubes after 3 months in the original usage. [This is personal opinion based upon tasting the wine, not any type of hard fact.]

Our take was that re-using the cubes was not worth the effort.

 

[crushday]

What is the airspeed of an unladen sparrow?

Lol...

 

[wineview]

If the cubes were in the wine for more than about two months (Maybe less), they have no more oak flavor to give up. So my vote is keep the oak to put on your BBQ.

Damn. I just chucked four spirals. The bbq. a no brainer from now on.

 

[winemaker81]

Damn. I just chucked four spirals. The bbq. a no brainer from now on.

Yeah, I tossed away years decades of expended oak. My wife & son said the ribs I smoked with the expended oak was the best I have ever made. While I can't prove it was the oak, I'm saving for the next time ....

BTW -- I have a large white plastic funnel with a removal strainer. When cleaning primaries that contain oak, I pour through the funnel to catch the chunks. I live on a septic system so putting chunks down the drain is a no-no anyway, but this catches even the finest oak.

I use shredded oak for fermentation oak for grapes and dark fruits -- in the past I dumped it into the must, but my new policy is to use a muslin hops bag to contain the oak, for easy removal ... and easy re-use.

 

[wineview]

Yeah, I tossed away years decades of expended oak. My wife & son said the ribs I smoked with the expended oak was the best I have ever made. While I can't prove it was the oak, I'm saving for the next time ....

BTW -- I have a large white plastic funnel with a removal strainer. When cleaning primaries that contain oak, I pour through the funnel to catch the chunks. I live on a septic system so putting chunks down the drain is a no-no anyway, but this catches even the finest oak.

I use shredded oak for fermentation oak for grapes and dark fruits -- in the past I dumped it into the must, but my new policy is to use a muslin hops bag to contain the oak, for easy removal ... and easy re-use.

Yeah I am so conscious of the septic system. I get it.