Winemaking (rec.crafts.winemaking) Discussion of the process, recipes, tips, techniques and general exchange of lore on the process, methods and history of wine making. Includes traditional grape wines, sparkling wines & champagnes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)   Report Post  
Kim
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim
  #2 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"Kim" > wrote:

> I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
> gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
> excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
> However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
> I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
> there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim


The best option is a double-sheet of plastic cling wrap (e.g. saran wrap),
held in place by TWO rubber bands. Two sheets of cling wrap, because
sometimes it can tear, and two rubber bands, because sometimes they break.
Cheese cloth will let too much air in, and bacteria can grow within it's
fibers over a period of time.


  #3 (permalink)   Report Post  
LC312
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

try a small balloon.
  #4 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"LC312" > wrote:

> try a small balloon.


Balloons can and do detach if there is enough air pressure, and they
stretch, develop holes, and break with age. If you monitor the wine 24/7
they are fine, but if the wine is in a cellar which you visit once or twice
a week, it is asking for trouble.


  #5 (permalink)   Report Post  
Greg
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

I like the plastic wrap idea, but I'd swing by your nearest home brew
shop and pick up some stoppers that fit a wine bottle. I think they
are size 1, but the people working at the store could tell you.

I had to get some when I discovered I bottled too soon. Popped a cork
and didn't want to lose the other 4 bottles. Stuck in the bungs and
airlocks to ferment in the bottle.

Greg

On 22 Oct 2003 18:06:40 -0700, (Kim) wrote:

>I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
>gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
>excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
>However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
>I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
>there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim


Greg Smith

Remove "spamblocker" to e-mail


  #6 (permalink)   Report Post  
J Dixon
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

Balloons have a tendency to give an off flavor if used for any length of
time as well.
"Negodki" > wrote in message
...
> "LC312" > wrote:
>
> > try a small balloon.

>
> Balloons can and do detach if there is enough air pressure, and they
> stretch, develop holes, and break with age. If you monitor the wine 24/7
> they are fine, but if the wine is in a cellar which you visit once or

twice
> a week, it is asking for trouble.
>
>



  #7 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"Greg" > wrote:

> ..pick up some stoppers that fit a wine bottle. I think they
> are size 1, but the people working at the store could tell you.


They are size #2, but I recomend using the #3 instead. The #2 stopper is the
same size as a (#8) cork, and is far too easy to push into the bottle, so
you can't get it out. The #3 will go about half-way in, and provide a good
seal.



  #8 (permalink)   Report Post  
Ed Marks
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

Besides how you stopper it, if you only have a half full 750 ml bottle, I
suggest you find a smaller bottle you can fill to eliminate the headspace.


"Kim" > wrote in message
om...
> I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
> gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
> excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
> However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
> I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
> there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim



  #9 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dar V
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

I've saved lots of different sizes of bottles from wine cooler bottles to
Champaign bottles and then bought smaller sized bungs to go with airlocks.
Before I had that though, I used to put the excess in a wine bottle and
covered with a doubled piece of plastic wrap and rubber band. In the last
few months or so, I have taken to keeping the bottle of excess top-up wine
(covered with plastic/rubber band) in the fridge.
Darlene

"Ed Marks" > wrote in message
...
> Besides how you stopper it, if you only have a half full 750 ml bottle, I
> suggest you find a smaller bottle you can fill to eliminate the headspace.
>
>
> "Kim" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
> > gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
> > excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
> > However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
> > I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
> > there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim

>
>



  #10 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

Then there's always the option of drinking the excess.

"Dar V" > wrote:
> I've saved lots of different sizes of bottles from wine cooler bottles to
> Champaign bottles and then bought smaller sized bungs to go with airlocks.
> Before I had that though, I used to put the excess in a wine bottle and
> covered with a doubled piece of plastic wrap and rubber band. In the last
> few months or so, I have taken to keeping the bottle of excess top-up wine
> (covered with plastic/rubber band) in the fridge.
> Darlene
>
> "Ed Marks" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Besides how you stopper it, if you only have a half full 750 ml bottle,

I
> > suggest you find a smaller bottle you can fill to eliminate the

headspace.
> >
> > "Kim" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > I'm hoping someone can educate me. I racked my pear wine into a
> > > gallon jug after initial fermentation. I have a half 750 ml bottle
> > > excess that I'd like to use to top off after the 2nd racking.
> > > However, I do not have a stopper/airlock to fit a 750 ml bottle. Can
> > > I just use layers of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band or are
> > > there any other good options? Thanks in advance for any help...Kim





  #11 (permalink)   Report Post  
JEP
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

Maybe I'm the only one that picked up on this but Kim said "I have a
HALF (my capitalization) 750 ml bottle excess that I'd like to use to
top off after the 2nd racking."

I wouldn't store 375 ml of wine in a 750 ml bottle. There will be way
too much air in contact with the wine. What I do is use 2 liter, 1
liter and .5 liter plastic soda bottles. Put the excess wine in an
appropriate sized bottle, squeeze the bottle until there is no head
space, then cap it.

Even if the plastic allows some O2 to go through, it still won't be as
much as a wine bottle only half full.

Andy
  #12 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"JEP" > wrote:
> Maybe I'm the only one that picked up on this but Kim said "I have a
> HALF (my capitalization) 750 ml bottle excess that I'd like to use to
> top off after the 2nd racking."
>
> I wouldn't store 375 ml of wine in a 750 ml bottle. There will be way
> too much air in contact with the wine. What I do is use 2 liter, 1
> liter and .5 liter plastic soda bottles. Put the excess wine in an
> appropriate sized bottle, squeeze the bottle until there is no head
> space, then cap it.
>
> Even if the plastic allows some O2 to go through, it still won't be as
> much as a wine bottle only half full.


Someone else did comment on this.

Some salad dressings, hot sauces, and vinegars come in very nice 375 ml
(12.7 oz) bottles, and empty 12-ounce beer bottles are close to this size as
well (you can drink the extra .7 ounce, or use it to season your eggs). Be
sure to wash the bottles out thoroughly, removing any odour of vinegar
before using them. Never leave more than about 1" of headspace in a
narrow-mouth bottle, and avoid wide-mouth containers (there is too much
surface area exposed, as well as more air in the top).


  #13 (permalink)   Report Post  
Kim
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

Thanks for the excellent support and responses! I put cling wrap over
the top and secured with two of my daughter's rubber hair thingys. I
will also pick up #2 and #3 stoppers (and rubber bands) at my first
opportunity. One more question: is there no concern that the cling
wrap is not permitting CO2 to escape? Thanks in advance...Kim

"Negodki" > wrote in message >...
> "Greg" > wrote:
>
> > ..pick up some stoppers that fit a wine bottle. I think they
> > are size 1, but the people working at the store could tell you.

>
> They are size #2, but I recomend using the #3 instead. The #2 stopper is the
> same size as a (#8) cork, and is far too easy to push into the bottle, so
> you can't get it out. The #3 will go about half-way in, and provide a good
> seal.

  #14 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"Kim" > wrote:

> Thanks for the excellent support and responses! I put cling wrap over
> the top and secured with two of my daughter's rubber hair thingys. I
> will also pick up #2 and #3 stoppers (and rubber bands) at my first
> opportunity. One more question: is there no concern that the cling
> wrap is not permitting CO2 to escape? Thanks in advance...Kim


They have rubber bands at most supermarkets. CO2 is heavier than air and
won't escape unless it is under pressure. If it is under pressure, you want
the excess to escape. But the air doesn't escape through the cling wrap, but
rather around the edges. The rubber bands will stretch a bit under pressure,
and allow the air to escape. It works just as well as an airlock, but it
doesn't make that lovely bubbling sound.


  #16 (permalink)   Report Post  
Negodki
 
Posts: n/a
Default Excess wine after racking

"Dave Allyn" > wrote:

> I got my bungs from midwest supplies, and they are hollow on top.
> they actually fit OVER move pop or beer bottles, yet still fit in the
> 1-5 gallon carboys. they call them "universal bungs" and they work
> great. only 99 cents (plus shipping....)


I've been using those for years, and never knew they would work on the beer
bottles! Thanks


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Excess acid in fruit wine Jim Winemaking 7 05-02-2010 12:10 AM
Wine Racking Question Jim Winemaking 5 21-10-2009 05:33 AM
Pomegranate Wine update - 2nd racking Casey Wilson Winemaking 1 29-01-2007 06:40 PM
Racking inserts for wine cooler Gary Wine 1 04-10-2006 02:24 AM
Racking of the wine steelbone Wine 1 18-09-2005 04:33 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:30 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 FoodBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Food and drink"