I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
This particular batch went form the primary to a carboy to a carboy.
It looks perfectly clear in the carboy. However, when I shine a
flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
suggests that it may not be 100% clear.
It's a kit, and the final directions prior ot bottling suggest filtering
the wine. Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
to buy a filter system.
So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
any hesitation about bottling it as is?



--
Bob Becker

www.becker.org

"Bob Becker" > wrote in message
...
> I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
> This particular batch went form the primary to a carboy to a carboy.
> It looks perfectly clear in the carboy. However, when I shine a
> flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear.
> It's a kit, and the final directions prior ot bottling suggest filtering
> the wine. Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
> to buy a filter system.
> So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
> any hesitation about bottling it as is?

Did your kit include Bentonite? If not, you can get some and it is a cheap
fix. There are also other fining agents that are fairly cheap. I have been
making wine for over 35 years and I ain't about to get a filter - simply
because it is not needed.

"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Did your kit include Bentonite? If not, you can get some and it is a
> cheap

Yup. Already did that step.
Can/Should you add it twice?

"Bob Becker" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> Did your kit include Bentonite? If not, you can get some and it is a
>> cheap
>
> Yup. Already did that step.
> Can/Should you add it twice?

The amount you got it the kit should be sufficient.
You might try another fining agent. Ask your local wine shop for advice.
Chilling your wine may also help

Or - you might try the time proven remedy - TIME
How old is your wine?

Paul E. Lehmann wrote:

> "Bob Becker" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
om...
>>
>>>
>>>Did your kit include Bentonite? If not, you can get some and it is a
>>>cheap
>>
>>Yup. Already did that step.
>>Can/Should you add it twice?
>
>
> The amount you got it the kit should be sufficient.
> You might try another fining agent. Ask your local wine shop for advice.
> Chilling your wine may also help
>
> Or - you might try the time proven remedy - TIME
> How old is your wine?
>
>
You've expressed my sentiments well, Paul.
TIME is our friend. In the fours years of my home winemaking, I've
never fined nor filtered any of my wines, and they all cleared.... given
time (like a year or so).

Gene

"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
...
>
> The amount you got it the kit should be sufficient.
> You might try another fining agent. Ask your local wine shop for advice.
> Chilling your wine may also help
>
> Or - you might try the time proven remedy - TIME
> How old is your wine?

Started 7-8-06
Rack to Carboy 7-14-06
Rack to Carboy 7-30-06 - Add Sorbate, Metabisulphite, Kieselsol
7-31-06 - Add Chitosan
Rack to Carboy 8-6-06
It's supposed to be ready to bottle today, but I'm off on a short vacation
so I'm going to wait another couple of days.

Again, it looks clear to the naked eye. It's only when you shine a
flashlight through it that it appears cloudy.

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Bob:
>
> Which kit EXACTLY?

Heron Bay Ultra Premium 6 Week Wine Kit
>
> What fining/clearing agents have you used already? Obviously
> bentonite from the other reply, but what else?

See previous reply...
>
> How long since that fining agent added?
>
> Did you degas the wine thoroughly? IE much stirring, shaking, or even
> a vacuum?

According to the instructions - Stirred vigorously for 3 minutes 6 times
over a 24 hour period prior to adding the Chitosan.

Bob Becker wrote "I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of
clearing....
> shine a flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear....
>Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
> to buy a filter system.
> So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
> any hesitation about bottling it as is?

Bob - It's not ready to bottle. If you bottle you will get sediment in
time. You won't like that. This wine is so young it's premature to think
about bottling even if the instructions say so. It's even too early to
think about filtering...since you can see evidence of suspended particles in
the wine you would clog a filter rapidly...only filter completely clear
wine. And, since you won't filter give the wine more time. Cover it up and
come back in a month...see if the flashlight beam can still be seen.

Bill Frazier
Olathe, Kansas USA

The Heron Bay instructions that I just read online recommend waiting
10 days after adding the Chitosan. Not sure how much an extra 3 days
will help.

Actually, you have made a 6-week kit in 4 weeks. Patience is a very
important tool to a winemaker. I generally make 6 week kits in longer
than 8 weeks.

So, as others have said be patient. Your wine will probably clear
given time.

Steve

On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:08:16 -0400, "Bob Becker" >
wrote:

>Started 7-8-06
>Rack to Carboy 7-14-06
>Rack to Carboy 7-30-06 - Add Sorbate, Metabisulphite, Kieselsol
>7-31-06 - Add Chitosan
>Rack to Carboy 8-6-06
>It's supposed to be ready to bottle today, but I'm off on a short vacation
>so I'm going to wait another couple of days.
>
>Again, it looks clear to the naked eye. It's only when you shine a
>flashlight through it that it appears cloudy.
>
>

If bentonite did not work try a little gelatine.
Typical level would be 0.1 gms per litre.
Dissolve gelatin in hot water and mix in quickly befoe allowing to
settle.
Bob M
www.molab.co.nz

Bob Becker wrote:
> I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
> This particular batch went form the primary to a carboy to a carboy.
> It looks perfectly clear in the carboy. However, when I shine a
> flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear.
> It's a kit, and the final directions prior ot bottling suggest filtering
> the wine. Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
> to buy a filter system.
> So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
> any hesitation about bottling it as is?
>
>
>
> --
> Bob Becker
>
> www.becker.org

It is not ready to bottle. I've done this wine, it took me longer than
the instructions to really clear it. Suggest letting bulk age for
another 2 months and see what goes to the bottom. If necessary, bulk age
another 2 months. If clear then, rack again and bottle the next day.
Pinot Grigio can age for 6 months to a year, so be patient. Or you will
have stuff in your bottles. Un-sightly. smile.

Bulk aging means leave it in the carboy - consider it like part of your
bottle aging. So if the instructions said to age in the bottle for 6
months, suggest you can let it in the carboy that long before bottling
and get the same results, except you will let it clear more.

that make sense?
--
DAve

Bob Becker wrote:
> I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
> This particular batch went form the primary to a carboy to a carboy.
> It looks perfectly clear in the carboy. However, when I shine a
> flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear.
> It's a kit, and the final directions prior ot bottling suggest filtering
> the wine. Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
> to buy a filter system.
> So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
> any hesitation about bottling it as is?
>
>
>

> > shine a flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> > suggests that it may not be 100% clear....

I would wait too, but it sounds fine to me if I follow you. It sounds
like it looks clear, but if you shine a light through it you see
particles 'twinkling' in the beam.

They will continue to settle out in time as others have said, but a
little sediment never hurt anyone. It's all a matter of what is
acceptable to you. I have never bottled a white in less than 8 months
but that is me. As long as you keep it topped up you can wait much
longer and it will only help.

Joe

Time, mon ami, time...be patient, let it age and it will clear.
Darlene ;o)

"Bob Becker" > wrote in message
...
> I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
> This particular batch went form the primary to a carboy to a carboy.
> It looks perfectly clear in the carboy. However, when I shine a
> flashlight through it you can see the beam through the wine which
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear.
> It's a kit, and the final directions prior ot bottling suggest filtering
> the wine. Filtering ain't gonna happen due to my being too cheap
> to buy a filter system.
> So... if it looks perfectly clear in the carboy, would anyone have
> any hesitation about bottling it as is?
>
>
>
> --
> Bob Becker
>
> www.becker.org
>

"Bob Becker" > wrote in message
...
> I've got a batch of Pinot Grigio in the final stages of clearing.
> suggests that it may not be 100% clear.

Thank you for all the replies to my clearing question.
The common wisdom seems to be "wait" before bottling.
I can do that. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.