Remember for many years in European cellars women were banned because
menstruation would upset the wine being stored in barrels (and I have heard
that some winemakers over there still adhere to this).

A lot of winemakers in Europe are untrained in oenology, and just do what
tradition dictates (obviously not in the better wineries), there is a hell
of a lot of village wine made of pretty appalling standard.

In a winery, we rack when the lees are settled to our liking, or when we
desperately need the tank the wine is in (most usual case during vintage,
there are never enough tanks!).

Rob L

"Ray" > wrote in message
. com...
> Maybe there is some logic in this. You have the largest tidal swings on
the
> full and dark moon. So maybe the large tidal action could start the
racking
> process by filling siphon hose.
>
> Yea, Right!
>
> Ray
>
> "Roger Dahlquist" > wrote in message
> news:PnUBb.44385$d35.8063@edtnps84...
> > This is a GREAT forum ...
> >
> > Today, at a four hour convening of an Italian lunch-bunch at a Chinese
> > restaurant (where we bring our own handcrafted wines), I was privy to a
> > discourse, by an otherwise intelligent fellow (Italian ancestors), who
is
> > adamant that wines should be racked at the full moon - he will rack only
> at
> > the full moon.
> >
> > I've heard this "racking at the full moon" theory many times, mostly
from
> > winemakers who's roots are in eastern Europe but I wonder if there is
any
> > basis in science.
> >
> > I (Swedish roots) tend to rack when it is convenient or when I think of
> > it - on a loose schedule (press + a week or so, two weeks or so, a month
> or
> > so, etc...).
> >
> > After reading, and being highly entertained by, the posting re the "moon
> > apogee/perigee and the hydrometer" I wonder what you serious winemakers
> have
> > to say about racking and the moon.
> >
> > I will hang up and listen to your comments ...
> >
> > Thanks, Roger(o)
> >
> >
>
>