When to oak Elderberry Wine

[Charles]

I am attempting a 1 gallon batch of Elderberry Wine. When should I add oak and how much, for how long. I have toasted Hungarian cubes.

 

[Stressbaby]

Not sure if this is the sort of answer you are looking for, but this link was helpful to me.

2.5-3 ounces/5 gallons is considered "new barrel" extraction rates; using the other conversions on the page, "new barrel" extraction rates are achieved with 18-21 cubes per gallon.

Having paid the price by over-oaking once in the past, my 2015 elderberry got 14 cubes medium toast American Oak per gallon for about 8 weeks. I added them straight, no rinsing or boiling.

YMMV, so check it periodically.

 

[Charles]

Thanks, I have Hungarian Cubes so I was thinking maybe 3-5 cubes. Should I put it in now, or after I rack into secondary fermenter ???

 

[Norton]

I wait at least until the secondary before adding cubes. If I add anything in the primary it would oak powder but I have never added powder to elderberry.

 

[TonyR]

Wait till you rack and lose most of the sediment, dose with k-meta and put your oak in. Keep it in for at least 3 or 4 months. Rack again and more k-meta. Your wine needs to age for a few years to bring out all the flavors.

 

[Charles]

Thanks for the info, I know it takes a long time for elderberry to mature, at least 1 year. Not happy with that but, maybe it will be worth it in the end results.

 

[Stressbaby]

I've never used Hungarian, but I'd be surprised if Hungarian cubes are that much different than American.

I also add them in the secondary - usually after the second racking.