When to rack?
 

I have a BK Frech Merlot that is approaching the point at which the
instructions say to bottle. To this point I have followed the
directions fairly closely with the exception of adding 1oz oak cubes
at each of the two rackings and skipping the sorbate addition. I plan
to let this bulk age for about 3 months before bottling, I would let
it go longer but it's for my Dad for xmas.

Should I rack when the kit says to bottle and let it sit until
bottling or just let it sit w/o racking. There is a layer of sediment
on the bottom of the carboy but I can't really tell how thick it is.

Thanks,
Mark

When to rack?
 

"Mark G." > wrote in message
>
> Should I rack when the kit says to bottle and let it sit until
> bottling or just let it sit w/o racking. There is a layer of sediment
> on the bottom of the carboy but I can't really tell how thick it is.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

Rack it. I always do one or two racking before I bottle. If you see any
sediment after the racking, do it again about a week or two before you plan
to bottle.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

"Mark G." > wrote in message
>
> Should I rack when the kit says to bottle and let it sit until
> bottling or just let it sit w/o racking. There is a layer of sediment
> on the bottom of the carboy but I can't really tell how thick it is.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

Rack it. I always do one or two racking before I bottle. If you see any
sediment after the racking, do it again about a week or two before you plan
to bottle.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

WOWWW!

Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk
age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It
was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others
have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined.
In any event that's good for me.
I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV
Riesling. Anyone made this one?

Mark

WOWWW!

Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk
age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It
was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others
have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined.
In any event that's good for me.
I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV
Riesling. Anyone made this one?

Mark

Hi Mark,

Glad you are enojoying your wine, I'm new to all of this and will buy
my first wine it tomorrow (Saturday) One quick question (sorry to
sound dumb) but what exactly is racking, and how do you do it??

Many thanks

Matt

Mark G. > wrote in message >. ..
> WOWWW!
>
> Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk
> age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It
> was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others
> have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined.
> In any event that's good for me.
> I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV
> Riesling. Anyone made this one?
>
> Mark

Hi Mark,

Glad you are enojoying your wine, I'm new to all of this and will buy
my first wine it tomorrow (Saturday) One quick question (sorry to
sound dumb) but what exactly is racking, and how do you do it??

Many thanks

Matt

Mark G. > wrote in message >. ..
> WOWWW!
>
> Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk
> age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It
> was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others
> have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined.
> In any event that's good for me.
> I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV
> Riesling. Anyone made this one?
>
> Mark

M wrote:
> Hi Mark,
>
> Glad you are enojoying your wine, I'm new to all of this and will buy
> my first wine it tomorrow (Saturday) One quick question (sorry to
> sound dumb) but what exactly is racking, and how do you do it??
>

Racking is transferring the wine from one container to another. You leave
the sediment behind. Thee are tubes made for racking that you put in the
bottom of the container and it will not disturb the gunk at the bottom 1/2"
or so. --
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

Congratulations! You did not say which wine you made.

I do have a basic rule that I try not to violate. When the wine rates a
WOWWW, it is time to start drinking it! If you want to bulk age longer, I
would suggest you get seveal 1 gallon carboys, rack into them and then
bottle the rest. That way, some is bulk aging and some is available to
drink. Remember that some wine reachs a peak. If you wait past that peak
it will only lessen in quallity.

Just a suggestion.

Ray

"Mark G." > wrote in message
...
> WOWWW!
>
> Today was bottling day according to the directions. But I want to bulk
> age it for at least a few months so I just racked it and tasted it. It
> was excellent. I didn't really get the cooked fruit taste that others
> have mentioned but maybe that's because my tasters are less refined.
> In any event that's good for me.
> I can't wait to start my next kit, I just orders a Winexpert WCV
> Riesling. Anyone made this one?
>
> Mark
>