First bactch problems

[mChavez]

Hi!

I am making my first batch of wine and I've got a little problem with it:

Wine: California connoisseur red 30 day kit.

I have kept the wine in the primary for 1 week and then racked to secondary for 2 weeks. Gravity seemed to stabilise around 997. Following the instructions, I've added potassium metabisulphite and racked the wine into a carboy for degassing. Then the fermentation seemed to have restarted as the airlock is now bubbling again for a 4th day in a row (I keep shaking the carboy occasionally to degas but instructions suggested that 2 days should be enough for degassing). Is that just gas escaping or did I screw up the batch?

Thanks!

 

[novalou]

Hi!

I am making my first batch of wine and I've got a little problem with it:

Wine: California connoisseur red 30 day kit.

I have kept the wine in the primary for 1 week and then racked to secondary for 2 weeks. Gravity seemed to stabilise around 997. Following the instructions, I've added potassium metabisulphite and racked the wine into a carboy for degassing. Then the fermentation seemed to have restarted as the airlock is now bubbling again for a 4th day in a row (I keep shaking the carboy occasionally to degas but instructions suggested that 2 days should be enough for degassing). Is that just gas escaping or did I screw up the batch?

Thanks!

Have you rechecked gravity?

 

[DoctorCAD]

You did not screw up, just rushed things.

Measure the SG 3 days in a row.

 

[mChavez]

Hi again!

The SG stayed constant for the whole extra week and I've mixed in the stabilizer and clarifying agent today.

The must tastes quite funny (quite vinegary and there are hints of green apple)
but hopefully it will improve in a week's time.

Do I need to filter kit wine?
And do I need to add potassium metabisulphite (or any alternatives) to bottles that i want to store for > 6 months (as per instructions)?

Thank you!

 

[DoctorCAD]

Filtering is not necessary. I kept my Williams kits in the carboy 7 months, no gas and no need to filter.

Time is your best worker.

 

[mChavez]

Thanks!
What about potassium metabisulphite for longer storage (e.g. if I want to try and age some bottles for a year or two)? Is it a good idea to add some?

 

[Yooper]

Thanks!
What about potassium metabisulphite for longer storage (e.g. if I want to try and age some bottles for a year or two)? Is it a good idea to add some?

Yes. At bottling, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of k-meta powder (dissolved in a little water) to the wine, or use campden tablets in the amount of 1 crushed tablet per gallon of wine.