Sterile Water For Kits?

[pianobrew]

I am looking forward to doing my first wine kit. I have been brewing beer for a few years now.

To ensure a clean and not contaminated wine should I boil some water and use that for my top off water (cooled of course). Is this necessary? It seems like most people just use tap water or filtered tap water. If I was brewing beer I would never top off with tap water if I am doing a partial boil. Too dangerous in my eyes. Would there be any negative effects of using pre-boiled water?

 

[Heavywalker]

Using water to top up can give you a watered down product. I would recommend using either a like wine to top up or using sterilized marbles to fill the headspace, this will give you the best finished product.

If you have to use water to top up, boiling is not necessary but if it makes you feel better you it won't hurt anything either.

 

[pianobrew]

I am talking about using the concentrated kits that you need to add water to dilute the juice to the proper amount in the beginning of the journey.

 

[Heavywalker]

OK, I use water right out of the tap and the wine come out great, I am on my own well so cannot attest to how people on a public water system do it.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Brita works just fine for the small amount of water needed for topping off. Takes a bit longer to filter enough for a full kit.

I really can't see how 2 or 3 cups of water in 6 gallons of wine can give you a "watered down" product. Never has for me...

 

[Yooper]

I have good tap water, and use it for all of my wines. I never boil my water for wine.

If your tap water isn't great, you could buy some spring water.

 

[pianobrew]

Why is there not a risk of infection?

 

[Yooper]

Why is there not a risk of infection?

My tap water isn't contaminated. I can drink it without boiling.