waxy buildup

Arne · Oct 27, 2013

I havn't done many wines off of grapes. I recieved some grapes last summer and got enough juice for about a gal. of wine. The folks didn't know what kind they were. Anyway, my top up bottle which wasn't full, has developed a coat of a waxy looking substance on top of the wine. Last nite I poured it thru my funnel with a fine screen. The wax was caught by the screen and I had a glass of the wine. It is still fine, but do certain grapes have some kind of a wax coating on their skins that can transfer to the wine? This stuff is a very dark red, you can not shine a light thru it, but going to make sure the top off bottle doesn't last very much longer. Wish I knew what kind these grapes are. They have a flavor I really like, although as they age I think the flavor is changing and to me maybe not for the best. Maybe the waxy stuff is part of the flavor I really like. Still just learning about winemaking. Arne.

jamesngalveston · Oct 27, 2013

It’s mostly harmless wax, says Kay Bogart, a winemaker who works in outreach for the University of California at Davis’s viticulture program. The grape plant produces it to protect the berries from moisture loss. It’s also often just plain old dust,

Arne · Oct 27, 2013

Thanks James,

Wish I would of grabbed a little of it to see if it felt like wax. Like a dummy, just poured it down the drain and rinsed the strainer off. We will see if the other bottle develops it. So far, maybe a little bit, but it came off the top of the primary and the other was the bottom part. Sure tastes good, tho. Sad part is not enough of it going to be left to age for very long. drinks really good for only being born this summer. Arne.

djrockinsteve · Oct 28, 2013

I get that on a few of my wines. I have 10 gallons of Brianna from a longer fermentation on the skins and several chunks appear at the top. It won't hurt the wine. Just take a paper towel and twist it carefully thru the carboy opening to pick it up.

You can also stick your siphon tube in a few inches and spin it slightly. You can get it to stick to the way chunks.

If any fall it will return later on.

skipdonohue · Oct 28, 2013

The film on the surface of your top up bottle most likely is mycoderma. A VERY serious issue.. Caused from not properly topping up a vessel.. DO NOT put this in your batch of wine and sterilize anything that has touched it.. Google mycoderma to get a better understanding of this serious issue and address it properly..

Good thing you poured it down the drain