Winemakers:
I have read that some winemakers allow the skins to soak with the
Chardonnay juice for 12 hours before press to add richness to the
must/wine. What is the advantage or disadvantage of this process? I
normally crush and press the Chardonnay juice immediately and then add
gelatin/kieselsol and cold soak for two days prior to the pitching of
yeast.

Michael Amigoni
Amigoni Vineyards
Centerview, MO

I crushed my chardonnay and waited about 10 hours before pressing this
year. Last year, I did not. I cannot tell you advantages or
disadvantages but I will say that the juice at this point seems more
golden or less pale than last year which I guess makes sense. Haven't
done any clarification yet so that will pull some color. Good? Bad?
Don't know yet but I have not seen any adverse effects to this process yet.

HTH,
Joe

Thanks Joe. Let me know when you have a handle on the difference

Michael Amigoni
Amigoni Family Vineyards
Centerview, MO

Michael, I use cold maceration on ALL my wines and on whites I go
between 0-14 hours, depending on the style I want to create. I find
that the longer maceration time results in more body/complexity/colour
which favours varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet.
I only cold-settle prior to fermentation and add nothing to the must.
I may use fining after the wine is finished.

When I want a white that is 'crisper', more fruity, lighter colour &
body, I elect to not cold-macerate. I also decide on the
cold-maceration time according to the quality of the fruit that I am
vinifying.

There are other considerations and I am sure you will read them in
other comments.
Cheers - Giovanni

"24brix" wrote in message
om...
Winemakers:
I have read that some winemakers allow the skins to soak with the
Chardonnay juice for 12 hours before press to add richness to the
must/wine. What is the advantage or disadvantage of this process?
I
normally crush and press the Chardonnay juice immediately and then
add
gelatin/kieselsol and cold soak for two days prior to the pitching
of
yeast.

Michael Amigoni
Amigoni Vineyards
Centerview, MO