I used to be part owner of a Buon Vino plate filter. For a few years
I filtered EVERYTHING. I started out using all three grades of filter
pads and shifted to just #1 and #2.

Then I stopped -- I decided filtering wasn't needed, that it wastes
wine, and it's an extra step (or 2 or 3) that offer opportunities for
contamination. IMO filtering simply speeds up what time will do
anyway.

But that is merely my opinion. I've known people who consider
filtering as essential as racking. It's part of their process.

Are they wrong? Hell, no! But neither am I ... :-)

As others have commented, filtering is a personal choice. I've got a
'98 metheglin that sat clear in the carboy for 1 year and dropped a
bit of fine sediment 2 weeks after bottling. I've also had numerous
wines that sat clear for 3 months and never dropped a bit of sediment
in the year or three until the last bottom was consumed ... :-)

If you can borrow a filter, try it and decide if it does what YOU want
it to do. I don't recommend buying one unless you're fairly sure
you'll want to make it part of your process.

Bryan



On 28 Nov 2006 21:11:51 -0800, wrote:

>I am a relatively new home winemaker that uses various winexpert kits
>for now. I am curious as to whether it would be prudent to filter or
>strain my wine just before bottling or is it really not necessary. If
>it is appropriate, can anyone kindly recommend a specific
>filtering/straining cloth? Thank you!!!!!