Cranberry Wine did not start.

[foxgidge]

I have made this recipe before with great success. Started this at about two weeks ago now and still waiting for it to move. SG‘s are the same as when I started. Temperature is a good place I checked the acid before starting. Any suggestions on where to go with this?

 

[Seamonkey84]

You said you checked acid, but how about pH? Any possible preservatives? Everything I’ve read says Cranberry is notorious for having issues because it’s so acidic. Straight juice usually needs to be watered down by 30-50%. Otherwise, aerate it then slid it still doesn’t go, hydrate a new pack of yeast, then step feed the must to the yeast a bit so it doesn’t shock it when pitched.

 

[foxgidge]

No additives and did water down juice, will try other suggestions, thanks

 

[bernardsmith]

I would create a new starter and then add the same volume of the cranberry to the active starter. If that takes off then double the volume in the starter with more of the cranberry ... and repeat this until all the wine from the problem carboy is now actively fermenting in the starter... That process tends to negate any systemic problems in the original fermenter simply because you begin with a very active batch of yeast rather than pitching a small batch into what may be a problem solution many times the volume of the volume you pitched.

 

[foxgidge]

Thanks I will these suggestions a try!

 

[foxgidge]

I would create a new starter and then add the same volume of the cranberry to the active starter. If that takes off then double the volume in the starter with more of the cranberry ... and repeat this until all the wine from the problem carboy is now actively fermenting in the starter... That process tends to negate any systemic problems in the original fermenter simply because you begin with a very active batch of yeast rather than pitching a small batch into what may be a problem solution many times the volume of the volume you pitched.

We did start a new active starter, actually divided it into two as it was about 8 gallon. Let them work and we are off and running "walking" as we know cranberry is slow. Thanks so much for the tip. This recipe won us a double gold last year in a local amateur competition and I made a large batch this year. In future will start as a small active starter and add to it.