5 Gallon Grape - Cote de Blancs (September 2016)

[jeskremer]

DAY ONE
34# Frozen grapes from 2013/2015
8 pts spring water
2 1/2 tsp pectic enzyme
1/4 tsp potassium metabisulfate

Let sit overnight to make a fruit liquor/slurry. This allowed pectic enzymes to break down fruit before adding yeast nutrient.

[jeskremer]

18 Hours After Start
Added 2 gallons (16 pints) of spring water and 5 tsp yeast nutrient. Temperature was approximately 68 degrees. Added 8 1/2# (17 c) sugar. Added an additional 1 cup to bring the mixture to 1.085. This is slightly more than called for in the table wine recipe.

NOTE: Had to squeeze the grapes out, put them in another primary, draw 8 c of fluid into this primary also, add some of the sugar and some of the yeast. Used one full package of Cote de Blancs yeast.

NOTE: Did not test the acid content yet.

[jeskremer]

Six Days After Addition of Yeast
I was gone a few days, but tonight the hydrometer read 0.99. Tasted (tart), then tested for acid - 1%. High, as usual with these grapes. We'll watch it. Placed in secondary. Nothing remaining to refrigerate for top-offs.

[jeskremer]

FIVE MONTHS LATER
Racked. A bit acidic. Added 3 tsp of potassium bicarbonate... the max allowed is 6 1/4 tsp for five gallons.

Good grape flavor, just a bit tart.

[jeskremer]

March 2017
Still tart, but good grape flavor. Added 1 cup of remaining raspberry wine from a bottling and 8 additional cups of spring water. Racked.

[jeskremer]

NINE MONTHS AFTER STARTING

Good grape flavor but a slight woody flavor and a hair tart: http://blog.eckraus.com/homemade-wine-woody-taste-smell. I've had this before and think it will go away over time. Added:

2.5 tsp potassium sorbate
1/4 tsp potassium metabisulfate

3.55 pH (Range for reds is 3.3-3.6)

Didn't need to degas prior to bottling. I did a couple and there was already hardly any CO2 left.

NOTE: This article states that the woody flavor could come from grape skins/tannins. Do not leave the grapes in the fermenter too long or don't do more than break the skins on them. https://blog.eckraus.com/homemade-wine- ... tter-taste

[jeskremer]

Two Years After Bottling
A little tart and almost a tad watery, not a full bodied flavor.