Conditioning a Mead...to rack or not to rack

[Curtis2010]

I have a basic mead in primary right now that's still fermenting, but slowing down. I leave on Sunday for up to a year. I'm debating about whether I should rack to secondary or not before I leave. I'm concerned about leaving on the yeast that long.

Opinions?

 

[RachmaelBenApplebaum]

Rack to secondary for sure, you can leave mead on the lees if it's the right yeast but it needs to be stirred up every so often to keep the nasty yeast autolysis flavors from sediment that's left. Rack clean and keep it in a sealed container (read:no airlock, solid bung) and fill any headspace with inert gas (winelife etc.). Then just store it the best you can someplace that isn't in the sun and stays modestly cool, you'll be fine.

 

[Curtis2010]

Clean should not be a problem. I use kegs and will just push to secondary with CO2. Will be in a temp controlled cooler the whole time.