Measuring alcohol level

[maltein]

Is there a way to measure the approximate alcohol level in my wine if I have a refractometer but forgot to measure the Brix sugar content before the fermentation started?

 

[Yooper]

Is there a way to measure the approximate alcohol level in my wine if I have a refractometer but forgot to measure the Brix sugar content before the fermentation started?

No.

You can guestimate the OG if you calculate out the sugar/ingredients and probably contribution but without that measurement you won't know the ABV.

 

[Johnd170]

You can use a vinometer. Works really well for finished wine. Here is a 40 sec YouTube vid on it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...CbtoeurRUVPSv01hrN6K42w&bvm=bv.54176721,d.dmg

 

[User]

You can use the discrepancy in the refractometer and hydrometeter to estimate alcohol. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDAQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moundtop.com%2Falcohol%2FAlcohol-via-Refractometer-Hydrometer.pdf&ei=aVdfUvX_MKTe2QW894GQBw&usg=AFQjCNGgxZQC8Ef9vHTvQYl-SRIha6P7Tg ://

 

[User]

Alcohol (vol/vol) = (1.646 * RBRIX) – (2.703 * (145 – 145/SG)) – 1.794

Copy paste is annoying on my phone.

 

[TexasWine]

You can use a vinometer. Works really well for finished wine.

A vinometer is a nifty little gadget. I'd never heard of one until now. I didn't watch the video so it may have already covered their limitations.

From HomebrewHeaven:

The vinometer is calculated on the basis of pure alcohol and water solutions, whereas wine is not a pure water/alcohol solution and the accuracy of a vinometer can not be relied upon.

Sugar interferes with the interfacial effects that a vinometer's action relies on and hence the method can only be applied to dry wines.

Similarly other components in wine can also interfere with accurate measurements