"Ric" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> The Merlot is now racked and in carboys. Now have 23 gals of Syrah, and
> 25 gals of Merlot settling and aging.
>
> Some questions - always appreciate the thoughtful feedback
>
> * How much ullage do you leave in your carboys after first racking
> (assume the wine is still, but just finished secondary and MLF)?
>
> * How much sulfite do you add at this point?
>
> My own practice thus far; 1; about 'two fingers', and 2; 15 ppm.

Two fingers is too much. Halve that.

15 ppm free SO2 isn't enough. Triple that should be OK, but you really need
to know the pH of the wine to get it right. A good approximation is to take
the digits to the right of the decimal point of the pH and set the free SO2
to that. E.g., if the pH is 3.40, set the free SO2 to 40 ppm. If the pH is
3.60, set the free to 60 ppm, etc.

Tom S