13 January 2008
[Epi 19] TintoTV - Malbec kit wine first racking
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Welcome to another exciting episode of TintoTV!!! Can you believe that we’re almost at 20 episodes! Ok, now down to the fun stuff. We proceed with the instructions in our Winexpert Argentine Malbec wine kit where we have to rack from our primary fermenter (big bucket) into our 6-gallon glass carboy. I can tell you it’s a lot of fun making this volume of wine and being able to taste along the way, the true fun of home winemaking!
One thing you may have noticed in the video is how we “racked” or transferred the wine. We stirred the wine a lot, which I think may be contrary to general recommendations since we stir up any lees and oak dust. Our thought here was we wanted to make sure the wine was well integrated and that, at this point of the winemaking, we were not too worried about clarification, but more so in ensuring that all the flavor components were in harmony and that we’d fill the carboy.
The next thing you may have noticed is that we didn’t use a racking cane; instead, we used a little valve/spigot from our primary fermenter and simply let the wine drop right into the glass carboy. I don’t think this can officially be called “racking” but it does get the job done.
We actually plan on leaving the wine in the carboy for a long while to let secondary fermentation finish completely and let the wine rest. As long as the carboy is topped off, I don’t think we have too much of an issue (commenters, let us know if our thinking is incorrect).
Upon tasting the wine, it was quite “yeasty” and “gassy”, but I think this may be a temporary trait of the yeast used with the wine.
As always, please chime in, say hi, leave us your questions and tips in the comments below.
Cheers!
Steph and Nico,
You are always using some of the things that I want to try. The spigot on the primary has been catching my eye everytime I go to the local supply store.
I have a Reisling kit in the clarifying stage at the moment. If your kit has an additional bag of juice to add during the next step and the directions say to pull off 500 ml… pull off 1500 ml and top off to the level you need after adding the other ingredients. It will help you to avoid a very large overflow in the carboy.
Bob
— Bob Jan 14 #
It was more fun when you sat on the floor and took a bath from the suction hose :). I’m so new at this I get nervous getting the must too close to the top when I airlock. Sometimes, overnight there is a great upsurge of foam. Using the hydrometer you have a confidence level that I hope to acquire. Thanks for the video.
— Harry Hebert Jan 14 #
Hey Guys: Great job, again. I suggest you taste before you stir. I wonder if the stirring affects the hydrometer reading? You could test that next time by taking readings before and after stirring. I’ve gone straight into a 5-gallon carboy to avoid the problem, backed up by a gallon jug and bottles to hold the balance. Good Luck.
— TomC Jan 16 #
Another episode is just around the corner… sorry for the delay!!!
— Nico Feb 11 #
You should have listened to the camera Nico!
— Juan Carlos Apr 20 #