Times change and practices change. In years past I had never heard of it
being used except after a wine was finished. Then I started making some kit
wines and they add it while the wine is fermenting and it works great. I
have read where some add it in primary and some in secondary. I do not
think that matters as it will not settle till the fermentation slows anyway.

Ray

"Adam Preble" > wrote in message
...
> Ray Calvert wrote:
>> I have only made these wines in 5 gal. batches and use superklear. But
>> superklear comes in premeasured packets for 5 gallons and it can not be
>> opened and then used later. There is no problem with letting the wine
>> have 30 min. air contact while racking and working with it if you do not
>> do it more than a few times before it goes into bottle.
>>
>> For future batches you could probably use the same technique used in
>> commercial batches. They add the betonite at the start of fermentation
>> so it percolates with the yeast and then settles at the end.
>>
>> Do not drink it cloudy. Work at getting it clear. It will taste and
>> smell much better. Most of my wine I try to let patience clear it. Time
>> will work. But for this particular wine, it is better drunk young so I
>> would encourage you to use a clearing agent.
>>
> Is there also a general practice of using bentonite during secondary
> fermentation? I somehow got it in my head that is when it's generally
> used. On the newsgroup, I've been hearing more people than not
> recommending it be used at the beginning of the primary fermentation.