I have a one gallon jug of Merlot from 2003 that has went bad. It has
been separated from the rest of the batch for some time so thankfully
the bulk of this batch is fine. Unfortunately I was a bit lax in my
note keeping and labeling on this one and had just marked it to keep
separate because of off-flavors but that's about it. I believe this is
a jug that the airlock went dry on earlier in its career, but not
positive about this -anyway it had a white film on surface and now has
a very sour, undrinkable taste.

The strangest thing about it is that it has stained the inside of the
jug purple with a thick purple hardened coating. Anyone seen this
before and know what causes it?

Is it possible that it has started to turn to vinegar and if so, or
not, can I make vinegar out of it?

It looks like you have an acetobacter or brett infection.

Yes, you can use it to make vinegar.

The prurle coating is most likey wine pigments that have bonded to the
glass. I am not real sure of the chemistry involved there, but it
should wash off.

"Droopy" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> It looks like you have an acetobacter or brett infection.
>
> Yes, you can use it to make vinegar.
>
> The prurle coating is most likey wine pigments that have bonded to the
> glass. I am not real sure of the chemistry involved there, but it
> should wash off.

Try a strong Clorox solution if the stain doesn't wash off with hot water.
Lum
Del Mar, California, USA

"Droopy" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> It looks like you have an acetobacter or brett infection.
>
> Yes, you can use it to make vinegar.
>
I would be a little hesitant to use this wine to make vinegar until you
determine what is the problem with it.

What does the wine smell like? Acetobacter has a distinctive smell. If it
smells like vinegar then you have a good chance. If it smells bad and
tastes bad could it be infected with something else then it will not make a
good vinegar.


Joe

I'm not concerned with cleaning the jug, in fact I just pitched it in
the recycle bin this morning since I have way too many 1 gallon jugs
already. (Btw, if someone is in need of 1 gallon glass jugs, Vitamin
Cottage has organic apple juice on sale for $3.99/gallon)

Rather, I was wondering if this symptom might be indicative of what
type of infection was present. I thought perhaps those of you who make
vinegar might have seen this coating. I've never seen this happen with
any of my wine before.

I'll try to compare the smell again next to some red wine vinegar. Any
other way to identify the different infections besides a microscope?

I make a lot of vinegar and really don't get any coatings like you
describe, but it's usually made from older wines too. My Syrah's drop
a coating like this if not fined with Sparkalloid though.

I usually get rid of all that cellulose that builds up over the years;
I make two or three batches and fight it out of the carboy. It can
form a pretty thick 'clump'. There can be a film but it washes right
off.

That sounded like mycoderma to me, I can't say whether it would make
good vinegar or not. I'm pretty sure mycoderma converts alcohol to
water among other things so it may not be the best idea to use it.

Joe

Hi Lum,
Nice to hear from you on this forum.
Best regards,
Joe