Wine Problem Help Please!

[Banksy]

Hello all,

I have a 23L batch of Selection wine (£80 approx). It has been ready to bottle for 3-4 months. I put it on the conservatory table and it came through the bung. It appears to have somehow expanded, but I can't explain how, other than if bubbles were formed but why would they, and I can't see any.

Is the batch ruined?

Thanks for any help.

Courtney

 

[bobsbeer]

you should be ok as long as you still have the air lock in place. Did your fermenter deform squashing the wine out of the airlock? Get it bottled and it should be fine.

 

[Banksy]

I hope it's ok. It is in a glass carboy. Should I give it some extra protection with some potassium sulphate or whatever it's called? The conservatory got rather hot unfortunately. I have resterelised the bung and will bottle it tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Banksy]

More advice please. Instructions say to add 1.5g potassium metabisulphite for extra stability. I have potassium sorbate or sodium metabisulphite (campden tabs). Should I use the latter?

If so, for 23L, should I use 4-5 tabs (bottling protection) or 8-9 tabs (full stabilisation)? I have already done the stabilisation step that came with the kit.

Thanks all.

 

[narmour]

Campden stuns the yeast for a short period, sorbate inhibits it's reproduction completely. You need both. If you haven't added these already, it would explain why it is coming up through the bung.

Another point of note, you shouldn't leave wine to condition in a warm light place. If you have a garage or a cool cupboard, put it in there. An £80 kit is too much to be leaving lying around the conservatory!!!

 

[HLA91]

You say it has been ready to bottle for 3-4 months but then it starts fermenting again, it needs to be stabilised to prevent the yeast consuming the residual sugar. 1/2tsp Potassium Sorbate + 1 Campden per Gallon. You say you stabilised but possibly the quantity that came with the kit was insufficient for the volume, re-stabilise using the above amounts leave for a few days then bottle if you so wish. Do not put neat sodium metabisulphate into wine ever. That's what campdens are for they provide a small measured dose.

P.S. the 1/2tsp Pot Sorb + 1 Campden tablet