Should I just bottle?

[wbhutchins]

I have a really good smelling black cherry wine that I have already backsweetened and is just waiting a couple months before I bottle. It's been a couple weeks but the 6 gallon batch is a little shy of six gallons and is only filling to about an inch below the sides before the glass starts sloping to the neck.

That being said, I think I have three options:
1) Rack into a 5 gallon and bottle whatever doesn't fit
2) Bottle it all and just do my best to not drink it
3) Leave it be in the 6 gallon carboy. 1 inch below the neck is okay.

Let me know your thoughts. I'm leaning towards option 1.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ohio Bob]

Option 3 would be the worst thing to do.

 

[Raptor99]

I would choose option 1a. Whatever does not fit in a 5 gallon carboy could be aged in a wine bottle or two with airlocks. I have also aquired some 1/2 gallon jugs that are useful in a situation like that.

Or just put whatever won't fit in the carboy in the fridge and drink it.

 

[winemaker81]

How old is the wine?

There's also 4) top with a lighter red, such as Pinot Noir.

 

[winechef]

put 10 large marbles or ceramic beads into a fooodgrade plastic sleeve with string. this should raise the level 1inch.

racking into 5 gallon would be best and enjoy the leftovers now

 

[wbhutchins]

How old is the wine?

There's also 4) top with a lighter red, such as Pinot Noir.

It's about 2 months old since I started this batch. It's already back sweetened, so I actually think racking to a 5 gallon and enjoying the leftovers early is probably my best option.