I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit, but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm likely
moving soon.

Thanks in Advance

--
KB
Saint Charles County, MO

"K. B." wrote:
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

If you consult the following site and the ones listed on the links, you
will find that the fining agents (clarifier you wrote) are not used merely
as a clarifier!

http://members.tripod.com/~BRotter/

I would use the chitosan, but I would skip the sorbate if you fermented your
wine dry! I have not used sorbate for the past six years.

HTH,
Guy

"K. B." wrote:
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

If you consult the following site and the ones listed on the links, you
will find that the fining agents (clarifier you wrote) are not used merely
as a clarifier!

http://members.tripod.com/~BRotter/

I would use the chitosan, but I would skip the sorbate if you fermented your
wine dry! I have not used sorbate for the past six years.

HTH,
Guy

Just out of curiosity, why would you skip the sorbate? I understand that if
it is fermented dry that is not necessarily needed. But does it add any
flavors to the wine or change anything about it?

Thanks,

David


"Guy Therrien" wrote in message
. ..

"K. B." wrote:
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5
and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

If you consult the following site and the ones listed on the links, you
will find that the fining agents (clarifier you wrote) are not used
merely
as a clarifier!

http://members.tripod.com/~BRotter/

I would use the chitosan, but I would skip the sorbate if you fermented
your
wine dry! I have not used sorbate for the past six years.

HTH,
Guy

"David J." wrote in message
...
Just out of curiosity, why would you skip the sorbate? I understand that
if
it is fermented dry that is not necessarily needed. But does it add any
flavors to the wine or change anything about it?

Sorbate interferes with yeast reproduction and as such can inhibit
ferementation starting in the bottle. It does have a taste which can be
quite pronounced the longer you age it.

"K. B." wrote in message
m...
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

Personally, I wouldn't skip the chitosan - but if the wine is dry I'd
_definitely_ skip the sorbate! There's no good reason to add sorbate to a
dry wine, and it will degrade the flavor.

Tom S

"Tom S" wrote in message
...

"K. B." wrote in message
m...
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5
and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

Personally, I wouldn't skip the chitosan - but if the wine is dry I'd
_definitely_ skip the sorbate! There's no good reason to add sorbate to a
dry wine, and it will degrade the flavor.

Tom S


Thanks for the replies. I shall add the chit, and withhold the sorbate. I
still didn't read what "additional" benefits chitosan offers besides
clarification (except a brief note from USDA stating it inhibits microbial
growth on fresh fruits and berries).

All the Best,


Karl Borum
Saint Charles County, MO

"Tom S" wrote in message
...

"K. B." wrote in message
m...
I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5
and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
likely
moving soon.

Personally, I wouldn't skip the chitosan - but if the wine is dry I'd
_definitely_ skip the sorbate! There's no good reason to add sorbate to a
dry wine, and it will degrade the flavor.

Tom S


Thanks for the replies. I shall add the chit, and withhold the sorbate. I
still didn't read what "additional" benefits chitosan offers besides
clarification (except a brief note from USDA stating it inhibits microbial
growth on fresh fruits and berries).

All the Best,


Karl Borum
Saint Charles County, MO