vinegar or not?????????????????????????????????

[emmaann17]

Hi there you jolly brewers out there, long time no here. well ive been busy brewing racking etc!! you know. well ive racked my damson wine today after been air locked in DJS for 5 months there was little sediment at the bottom as I racked loads of times during the first 3 months. its a full bodied, fermented to dry wine very fragrant and fruity but tastes sharp and acidic HAS IT TURNED TO VINEGAR???? how can we tell if it has please ???????????????????????????? thanx ade :hmm: :cry:

 

[alanwh]

How many times did you rack ? Each racking considerably increases your chance of infection, so I like to minimise mine as much as possible 3 times max depending on what finings I use.

Even a vague niff of vinegar is bad, If its gone over, Taste a tot and you will have a lingering aftertaste of white vinegar.
If its fruity and tart without a vinegar whiff, then it could be an unbalanced wine, un ripe fruit or over-ripe bruised fruit used, or not using campden tablet when bottling/racking can cause too much acid and cause a sour wine.
Much also depends on your experience with country wines. Ive got a damson I had a sample out of on Saturday from last autumns crop, its very young still and a little tart, but not acidic as such. It's going to take at least a year in the bottle to fill out.

 

[emmaann17]

hi Alan thanks for reply I racked bout 5 times in 3 months I used cd tablets all through. yes it tastes sour now you said not of vinegar thats best too describe it. my fruit was ripe damsons sweet off the tree and in great condition, using a vin clear sachet now to help clear. will back sweeten and botttle in a week what u think ?????????????

 

[alanwh]

Take out a sample add a bit of sugar and you may be plesantly surprised. Could be you are tasting it young damsons can be quite tart even when ripe.

 

[emmaann17]

thank you i will let you know how i get on i love brewing stuff elderflower champagne soon and dandelion burdock beer :drunk: :drink: : :thumb:

 

[alanwh]

Yep elderflower champers is next but one on my list too. Got a lot more thinking on it to do yet though before I sort a final method.

 

[emmaann17]

thanks Al ive done 3 brews so far 120 pints. we like it so much we stick to the same recipe. more to come this year with trees only just down the road from us. My recipe i follow river cottages wow its good and i make little stronger 7-8% wow. keep in touch :thumb: : :drink: :clap: