What water do you use to make your wine?

[reefman]

Does anyone pay close attention to the water they use for making wine?
I have well water, but never had it tested or know what's in it besides H2O.

 

[Wade E]

If you feel its tastes good then it will be fine for making wine with. If not or if you have a soft water filter then it should not be used and spring water should be used, do not use distiller water as its had 02 and many minerals rmoved that a fermentation nees to do well!

 

[Julie]

Hi Doug,

If you drink your well water, use your well water. This makes the wine more your creation. We have well water and I am real happy with the way our wine turns out.

 

[Runningwolf]

I use spring water from Wal mart only because I have a water softner and some iron in my water.

 

[MisterDrew]

I use spring water from Wal mart only because I have a water softner and some iron in my water.

I'm glad you said that. That's what I picked up for my batch and wasn't sure if I should have gone another route...

 

[Tom]

I use tap water which is not bad at all.

 

[reefman]

Tom,
Does your tap water have chlorine or floride in it? The kit I'm making my 1st batch from says not to use it if it has these chems in it. It doesn't say why.

 

[millwright01]

If you are concerned with the chlorine in the water simply fill a primary fermenter or pail and let sit for a day. With that much surface area the chlorine will be gone. I don't know about floride though. We don't treat our water with it here.

Jason

 

[Tom]

I don't have that in my water. Like Jason said Chlorine will "flash" off in a open bucket.

 

[cbw]

Like Runningwolf ... I've always used Walmart Spring Water ... our water is hard as rocks, chlorinated ... some taps are straight city water ... others run through a water softener ... so none of it is good for wine making.

It's ok to drink ... but I would never use it to make wine.

 

[Green Mountains]

Our new home is city water supplied by mountain springs.......mmmmmm. No idea if it's high or low in anything but it tastes great to us so we're using it.

 

[Dinich]

Why not use "soft water"

My water runs through a Culligan water softener
and I haven't noticed any adverse affect however we're new to this and still learning.

Why not use soft water

D

 

[deboard]

Our water has a lot of calcium and minerals in it. But it's also the same water famous for making bourbon. I know they filter it, etc. I have been using wal-mart spring water, but I am currently making a test batch with my water to see how it works.

I'd suggest that if you are not sure about your water, but would like to use it, then make a small test batch (1 gallon or so) to see how it works. That way you are not wasting an expensive kit just in case.

 

[reefman]

My well water actually tastes good, but I don't know what's in it, and have no if there is anything detrimental to wine, so I am going to try the Walmart spring water for now, but I am going to have my water tested, for the future.
Thanks for all the comments.
Doug

 

[Runningwolf]

Doug, my guess is if your water does not smell and you don't have a water softner your water would be just fine. By reading your post though, I don't think you will have peace of mind until you get your water tested, so go for it. You won't be second guessing yourself then for years to come.

 

[reefman]

I keep saltwater aquariums too, and water parameters are critical...I use RODI water there, so I guess I'm just a little paranoid about the wine quality, but I know the RODI water would not be good for the wine.

 

[Wade E]

OK, what is RODI?

 

[Green Mountains]

OK, what is RODI?

They help backstage at the Rock concerts Wade.

 

[Dugger]

Reverse Osmosis something something!

 

[Tom]

Yep thats what it is..