"Tom S" > wrote in message om>...
> "RD" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I'm using a barrel for the first time. It's a brand new 10 gal
> > American Oak barrel. I've filled it with wine and everything seems
> > fine except that I'm noticing a 'wicking' phenomenon at the area
> > surrounding bung hole. This area is stained from the wine wicking out
> > around the bung. Is this normal? Perhaps just pressure equilization?
> >
> > At first, I thought I had filled the barrel too much but this does not
> > appear to be the problem as removing wine to allow over an inch worth
> > of headspace does not change the result. I observe this with both
> > #8.5 and #9 rubber bungs which seem be the right size to give a good
> > seal. Any help is appreciated.
>
> That's normal at first, assuming the bung stave isn't cracked. Once the
> barrel soaks up thoroughly that'll stop. Also, if ML isn't complete it will
> generate pressure in the barrel and cause some leakage, and it could even
> pop the bung out of the barrel. If that's the problem you may want to put
> an airlock on the barrel for awhile.
>
> Top up and bung _tight_ (as long as ML is finished) and keep the free SO2
> where it should be for the pH of the wine. If ML isn't finished you should
> still keep the wine pretty well topped up, but don't sulfite it until ML
> finishes..
>
> Tom S

Thanks for the advice, Tom. The bung stave is in good shape and MLF
completed on this batch. The situation has begun to improve already.

RD