Puzzling Hydrometer reading

[Mikhail Bulgakov]

Nice one. I suppose mastering the hydrometer and sugar quantities needed ( prefer 11 -12% - weak enough to attempt drinking a second bottle ) is a good excuse to acquire more DJs and get more brews on the go. Happy days

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Nice one. I suppose mastering the hydrometer and sugar quantities needed ( prefer 11 -12% - weak enough to attempt drinking a second bottle ) is a good excuse to acquire more DJs and get more brews on the go. Happy days

A word of warning if you go too low the alcohol will not act as a preservative and the wine will quickly go off, this happened to a guy i know, his wife doesn't like strong wine so he made a WOW that was 6% a few days later he said it was undrinkable, if i remember right the magic number is 10% (if that is wrong can someone correct me)

 

[Mikhail Bulgakov]

I'd read that 9% is absolute minimum. Its of no interest to me, 11% at least or I'm not bothered :)

 

[oldbloke]

OK in ale, hops are a preservative.
What stops cider going off? Got some year-old bottles downstairs that are about 5.5% and fine.
Or is there something about grapes that needs more preserving than apples. Or what?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Or is there something about grapes that needs more preserving than apples. Or what?

The only thing i can think of is on the cartons it says "drink within 5 days of opening" and we all know Ribena has preservatives in it, i don't know why cider keeps well at 5.5%.

 

[oldbloke]

Maybe it's vitamin C, that's sometimes used as a sort of preservative. Maybe apples have way more than grapes.