WineXpert top off or not top off

[blazer]

line 3.7 on the instructions say topping off the carboy during clearing process is not required, so I guess you have to top off when aging, would that be correct?
California cabernet reserve Merlot

 

[QuiQuog]

I believe them when they say that, but I've always topped off at that point. I believe them, I just don't trust it because I tend to forget about it for weeks at a time. You're making Merlot, so what I would do is get a reasonable bottle of that and fill it up. 2 buck Chuck or something similar. A Cabernet would work fine also. The volume to top off isn't very much, so it won't affect the flavor much if any.

 

[cmason1957]

line 3.7 on the instructions say topping off the carboy during clearing process is not required, so I guess you have to top off when aging, would that be correct?
California cabernet reserve Merlot

The way I always interpret that direction is, if you are following the timelines of the kit, as in plan to bottle at 4, 6, 8 weeks whatever. Then topping up is not required, but any more than that top up with a like wine.

 

[She’sgonnakillme]

The way I always interpret that direction is, if you are following the timelines of the kit, as in plan to bottle at 4, 6, 8 weeks whatever. Then topping up is not required, but any more than that top up with a like wine.

I agree! This btw is another reason why I like to do EM. Because it enables you to get another 8 weeks of age on the wine without having to top up with commercial.

 

[cmason1957]

I agree! This btw is another reason why I like to do EM. Because it enables you to get another 8 weeks of age on the wine without having to top up with commercial.

I generally don't do EM. I am going to agree for six months to a year anyway and the ones time I did it, I didn't really notice much difference. If you plan to bottle sooner, I guess it might matter.

 

[sremick]

I switched to doing a combo of flushing with argon then pulling a vacuum, and subsequently stopped worrying about headspace.

 

[Mike53154]

Just be sure to use a "solid" rubber stopper with an airlock. Personally I only top off, if needed, with a similar wine up to just after the carboy starts to taper.

 

[wineview]

I top off within 1 to 1/2” from the bottom of the rubber stopper. It’s where there is usually a thick ring of glass on the top of the carboy.