Thread: Fizzy?
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Steve Peek Steve Peek is offline
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Default Fizzy?


"Joe Pfeiffer" > wrote in message
...
> 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...


I'd just plan on decanting (splashing) into a carafe an hour or so before
serving.