When to rack wine to new demijohn

[dillweed4]

Hi,

Just wondering... I have my first batch of elderberry wine now in a demijohn after 5 days of fermenting in a big pan. Just wondering how long I should wait before I rack to a new demijohn? There is lees building up at the bottom gradually (about 1-2cm), i'm wondering how thick it should get before I rack?

Thanks.

 

[dillweed4]

Is this not a simple question?

 

[Dugger]

Not familiar with elderberry wine but general rule of thumb is to get wine under airlock when the SG reaches about 1.010. If you're just concerned about getting it off the gross lees, I don't know, but it seems that 5 days would be enough, assuming you had a good ferment.
Others more familiar with berry wine might better answer this.

 

[MN-winer]

Having more information will help. Nobody can really answer your question until we know the starting SG and what its at now. As Dugger said, generally first rack is at near the end of fermentation - 1.01 or less to offer protection in the secondary from oxidation and spoilage.