OK, hae a coupla carboys that I didn't rack as often as I normally do, but
wanted them ready(bottled) as gifts when I visit family next month. Anyone
used drawing a vaccuum as a way of degassing? the wine wasn't on lees in
any way, so the lack of racking is not harmfulo, has been properly treated
with metabisulfite, etc. gas is the only problem. I've had a coupla
batches turn out less than stellar(includuing a 6 gallon batch of cabernet,
which sucked), to point where had a bit of sparkle, and as not appropriate
for that style of wine, I avoided giving it as gifts as planned. Wondering
what thoughts are on using a vacuum to help deal with this problem. There's
a good seal, so it's not going to have a problem with oxidation. I realize
it will also draw out the sulfite gas, so going to have to retreat it before
I bottle, but can anyone see any problems like that? seems this should
remove the CO2 reasonably safely.

And no, don't plan on doing this with every batch, jsut this one(or other
rare occasions where I'm in a rush like this).

Oh, and yes, I don't like rushing my wines either. Before anyone mentions
that.

Joel

It works pretty good. just be carefull not to pull too much of a
vacuum, you could harm the wine by drawing off some of the aromatics.


wrote:
OK, hae a coupla carboys that I didn't rack as often as I normally do, but
wanted them ready(bottled) as gifts when I visit family next month. Anyone
used drawing a vaccuum as a way of degassing? the wine wasn't on lees in
any way, so the lack of racking is not harmfulo, has been properly treated
with metabisulfite, etc. gas is the only problem. I've had a coupla
batches turn out less than stellar(includuing a 6 gallon batch of cabernet,
which sucked), to point where had a bit of sparkle, and as not appropriate
for that style of wine, I avoided giving it as gifts as planned. Wondering
what thoughts are on using a vacuum to help deal with this problem. There's
a good seal, so it's not going to have a problem with oxidation. I realize
it will also draw out the sulfite gas, so going to have to retreat it before
I bottle, but can anyone see any problems like that? seems this should
remove the CO2 reasonably safely.

And no, don't plan on doing this with every batch, jsut this one(or other
rare occasions where I'm in a rush like this).

Oh, and yes, I don't like rushing my wines either. Before anyone mentions
that.

Joel