I have some 1/2 gallon glass carboys for exactly that problem. I go ahead
and rack off some clear wine off the time into a spare 1 gallon jug, then do
the rest of the racking. Then I use the clear wine to top up. Any left and
it is put in the fridge, not for topping but for drinking. I doesn't hurt
to sample some young wine.

Ray

"Roy Boy" > wrote in message
news
> My first batch of wine has fermented in the plastic bucket, racked to a 5
> gallon bottle with air lock, and racked to a 4 and a 1 gallon bottle both
> with air locks. It is coming up to a month and getting ready to be racked
> again. Most of the solids in the wine has dropped to the bottom. The wine
> looks very much cleared.
>
> When I rack this next time I will have less wine than I do now. I am
> planning on topping the 4 gallon bottle up from the one gallon bottle.
> Should I refrigerate what is left from the one gallon bottle to keep for a
> topoff for the next rack? If I refrigerate, do I need to find a bottle
> that will fill to the top and drink the rest?
>
> Or should I find a bottle that will fill to the top and just cork it until
> the next rack.
>
> Will I still need to but the air lock on the 4 gallon bottle?
>
> Should I use CO2? If so what is the best way to apply it?
>
> Roy
>