winemaster > writes:

> Joe Pfeiffer;1625975 Wrote:
>> Executive summary:
>>
>> Tried a bottle of the Shiraz I made in January... it seemed just a tad
>> fizzy. What did I do wrong?
>>
>> Detail:
>>
>> I started it on January 29, racked it February 3, racked again February
>> 12. By February 14 there was no sign of activity and the SG was .996
>> so
>> I added sulfite to stabilize it; this resulted in a *huge* amount of
>> foam. I used a drill-mounted stirrer for a full five minutes to
>> distribute
>> the sulfite. Racked again March 7. Bottled late March (I can't
>> believe
>> I didn't note the date, but there you have it).
>>
>> Note that my temperature controls are seriously lacking: I live in
>> southern New Mexico and use a swamp cooler; the room with the wine gets
>> seriously warm during the day starting in April.
>>
>> So... tried a bottle. Pouring it, it didn't look carbonated; no
>> visible
>> bubbles. But drinking it, there was just a hint of a "fizzy" feel to
>> it
>> on my tongue. So, first, am I accurately thinking it feels a bit like
>> it wound up slightly carbonated, or could this be from something else?
>> Does it just need more time in the bottle? Did I do something wrong
>> that I need to fix next year?
>
> Greetings all winemakers!!!
>
> Winemaking is a hobby and should be fun!!! Like bubbles in champagne!!
> however nothing fun about co2 in a red wine... I have two questions for
> U my friend. Did u try vacuum filtering your wine ( i believe this is
> the best way to degass your wine.. so do all the experts!). The second Q
> is where did you purchase your kit!!! The winemaster will be waiting for
> your reply and will make sure you get answers to your Qs!! (After
> consulting people for 27 years I think I earned the title Winemaster).
> Have a grape day!!

No, I didn't vacuum filter it -- it does sound from other responses that
my mistake was in not adequately degassing.

Which raises the question of what to do now... there was at least one
response that suggested that the CO2 would outgas naturally while in the
bottle. How long could I expect that to take? Alternatively, I do have
a good vacuum pump (for automotive a/c work).... so I guess I could
pull a vacuum on each bottle the day before I plan on opening...