5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

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jeskremer
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5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

Day 1
10# (13 pints) frozen blueberries that were washed, brought up to a boil, and mashed (Aldi's $1.29/pint)
5 qts. boiled, non-softened, city water
7 1/2 tsp acid blend
2 1/2 tsp pectic enzyme
Just over 1/4 tsp K-metabisulfite (potassium metabisulfite)

I followed the previous blueberry recipe to a tee.

On the first day I added a slight amount of water and left out the sugar, nutrient, energizer, and yeast until 24 hours later. It is a type of fruit "liqueur". The higher volume of pectic enzyme to water will allow the pectin in the fruit to break down quicker.

Instead of a full campden tablet for sterilization, I also used the K-metabisulfite. Campden is often times made of sodium metabisulfite which will add sodium and can apparently impart a slight off flavor in the wine. I used a whole one in the 2010 batch, but 1/2 is all that would probably be needed anyway.

Due to the following info from www.winepress.com, I waited until 90 degrees F to add acid blend, pectic enzyme, and K-mertabisulfite:
Joel, somewhere I have the exact temperature at which enological pectic enzyme becomes 100% ineffective, but unless I were extremely lucky I could search through books all night before finding it and I'm not going to do that. All I recall is that it is slightly over 100 degrees F and believe it is about 80% effective at 80 degrees and completely effective below 65 degrees. The 80% at 80 degrees correlation just jumps to mind and I have always used it.

So, my guess is that the original enzyme was cooked.

The other issue you raised was adding pectic enzyme to a fermenting must. That is generally thought not to be a good practice. Once yeast are pitched, you shouldn't add anything except fermentables or possibly nutrients until fermentation is done or very close to being done (for example, an s.g. around 1.010) -- no pectic enzyme, no acids, no fining agents.

It is unlikely you'll have a problem, but if your yeast just quit prematurely it might be because they really don't like their environment chemically changed. But if fermenting vigorously, it is unlikely they will be affected. Still, in the future be patient and let your must cool to room temperature before adding enzymes of any kind (there are many enzymes identified for enological purposes).
Jesse Kremer
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

18 Hours Later

Added 12 1/2 qts. cold, tap, city water. The last recipe I used the water was boiled and cooled first, but I didn't have time for this. The addition of water brought the total in the primary to just under the 5 gallon mark.

Added 8# sugar, 2 1/2 tsp energizer. 1.077 SG at 70 degrees F.

Acid tested at 3%. Added 3T acid blend to bring the acid content to between 5-6%.

Sprinkled 1 packet Montrachet Red Star yeast on top.
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

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48 Hours After Adding Yeast
1.065 SG
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

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72 Hours After Adding Yeast
1.054 SG
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

5 Days After Adding Yeast
1.048
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

6 Days After Adding Yeast
Still 1.048 at 78 degrees house temperature. Vigorously stirred the primary...getting concerned.
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

Ten Days After Adding Yeast
1.040 SG. Placed under airlock.
Last edited by jeskremer on Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

Three Weeks After Placing Under Airlock
Racked. Worried about a slight sulfur odor after transferring into carboy again. Have never had this issue before.
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

One Year Later
Very disgusting smell. May also have a small amount of mold on top. Racked four gallons. Dissolved 8 campden tablets and 4 tsp lemon juice in a small amount of the wine and added to the secondary again.

To learn about possible mold repair, visit here: http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/qa.asp
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Re: 5 Gallons Blueberry (August 21, 2013)

Post by jeskremer »

A Week Later
Tastes terrible. Added packet of Super-Kleer K.C. Finings. Stirred vigorously.
Jesse Kremer
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