"Jim" > wrote in message
...
>I am fermenting about 400 lbs. in a 45 gallon plastic primary
> fermentor then I have been adding Scott Lab MBR41 or MBR31 at the end
> of alcoholic fermentation along with some Scott Lab Optimalo for
> insurance. I lay a plastic garbage bag on top of the must and will
> incorporate Tom's idea of a little spitz of metabisulphite on top of
> the plastic.

Actually, I suggested spritzing (lightly) the top of the cap and wiping down
the walls of the fermentor with sulfite solution _before_ covering with the
plastic. Sulfite on _top_ of the plastic will do nothing to protect the
wine on the other side of it.

I will probably stir every couple of days and at 20Cel.
> or 70Far. The ML should be complete in 2 weeks and I can press of add
> 50ppm of SO2 and now let the wine settle in my secondary.

I wouldn't be too hasty about adding the sulfite after pressing. You want
to be sure that ML is complete, and it may take more than 2 weeks for that
to happen.

Better is to settle the wine for an hour or two after pressing, then rack
away from the heaviest of the lees into your carboys/kegs/barrel under
airlock, topped up, until you're certain ML is finished. Then it's time to
sulfite.

Tom S