Too Much Headspace?

[adiochiro3]

Wanted to get the more seasoned winemakers opinions: I just racked my chardonnay off of the fine lees.

• 0.098 gravity reading -- so fermentation is not quite done and more CO2 will be produced.
• I imagine the wine will continue to degas itself as a result of racking -- providing a CO2 blanket.
• I'm thinking a little oxygen won't be a problem at this point.

What say you more experienced folks? Top up, or leave it be until the next racking?

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I'd top up or add sanitized marbles to fill the space. You only want about 2 inches of headspace.
Regards, GF.

 

[Yooper]

I'd top up or add sanitized marbles to fill the space. You only want about 2 inches of headspace.
Regards, GF.

Agreed- way too much headspace, even if the wine is at .998 (.098 isn't a correct reading).

 

[adiochiro3]

I'd top up or add sanitized marbles to fill the space. You only want about 2 inches of headspace.
Regards, GF.

Agreed- way too much headspace, even if the wine is at .998 (.098 isn't a correct reading).

Thank you both for the advice. I topped up. Yooper, thanks for the gravity correction; of course 0.998 was correct. It was late and I was not watching my digits and decimals...:smack: