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K. B.

22-12-2004 05:35 PM

Add or skip Chitosan clarifier?

I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to rack
off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding the
chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit, but
this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm likely
moving soon.

Thanks in Advance

--
KB
Saint Charles County, MO

Guy Therrien

22-12-2004 06:51 PM

"K. B." wrote:
>I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
> racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
> rack
> off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
> the
> chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
> Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
> but
> this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
> likely
> moving soon.

> If you consult the following site and the ones listed on the links, you
> will find that the fining agents (clarifier you wrote) are not used merely
> as a clarifier!

http://members.tripod.com/~BRotter/

I would use the chitosan, but I would skip the sorbate if you fermented your
wine dry! I have not used sorbate for the past six years.

HTH,
Guy

Guy Therrien

22-12-2004 06:51 PM

David J.

22-12-2004 07:11 PM

Just out of curiosity, why would you skip the sorbate? I understand that if
it is fermented dry that is not necessarily needed. But does it add any
flavors to the wine or change anything about it?

Thanks,

David

"Guy Therrien" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "K. B." wrote:
> >I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5
and
> > racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
> > rack
> > off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
> > the
> > chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
> > Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
> > but
> > this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
> > likely
> > moving soon.
>
> > If you consult the following site and the ones listed on the links, you
> > will find that the fining agents (clarifier you wrote) are not used
merely
> > as a clarifier!
>
> http://members.tripod.com/~BRotter/
>
> I would use the chitosan, but I would skip the sorbate if you fermented
your
> wine dry! I have not used sorbate for the past six years.
>
> HTH,
> Guy
>
>
>

J F	22-12-2004 11:42 PM

"David J." > wrote in message
...
> Just out of curiosity, why would you skip the sorbate? I understand that
if
> it is fermented dry that is not necessarily needed. But does it add any
> flavors to the wine or change anything about it?
>
Sorbate interferes with yeast reproduction and as such can inhibit
ferementation starting in the bottle. It does have a taste which can be
quite pronounced the longer you age it.

Tom S

23-12-2004 02:57 AM

"K. B." > wrote in message
m...
>I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5 and
> racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
> rack
> off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
> the
> chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
> Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
> but
> this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
> likely
> moving soon.

Personally, I wouldn't skip the chitosan - but if the wine is dry I'd
_definitely_ skip the sorbate! There's no good reason to add sorbate to a
dry wine, and it will degrade the flavor.

Tom S

K. B.

23-12-2004 05:13 AM

"Tom S" > wrote in message
...
>
> "K. B." > wrote in message
> m...
> >I have a Brew King Cabernet kit started August 1st, Racked September 5
and
> > racked again on 12 September with additional oaking. Now it is time to
> > rack
> > off the Oak and add Sorbate. Here is my question: should I skip adding
> > the
> > chitosan clarifier if I plan to bottle in say a month? Should I add the
> > Chitosan? I have never skipped the final clarifier supplied in the kit,
> > but
> > this wine is very clear. I cant really bulk age this one because I'm
> > likely
> > moving soon.
>
> Personally, I wouldn't skip the chitosan - but if the wine is dry I'd
> _definitely_ skip the sorbate! There's no good reason to add sorbate to a
> dry wine, and it will degrade the flavor.
>
> Tom S
>
>
Thanks for the replies. I shall add the chit, and withhold the sorbate. I
still didn't read what "additional" benefits chitosan offers besides
clarification (except a brief note from USDA stating it inhibits microbial
growth on fresh fruits and berries).

All the Best,

Karl Borum
Saint Charles County, MO

K. B.

23-12-2004 05:13 AM

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