I was looking at this website at the weekend http://www.accuvin.com/Monitoring%20...Winemaking.pdf and came across this inerestin comment (my emphasis):
"Remember that SO2 tends not to mix, but stays where it is added in juice or remains in a layer near the
bottom in wine. Always stir thoroughly, then stir again the next day."
I have usually added sulphite when racking and put it in the bottom of the receiving container so that it gets well mixed in as the wine is syphoned into it - but I've never thought to give it another stir the following day. Also, I'm sure I've seen comments in Bill Smiths recipes recommending floating the sulphite solution on top of a wine.
Anyone got any thoughts on the phenomenen of the sinking sulphite. I can imagine that a sulphite solution will normally have a higher SG than finished dry wine but I would have expected the free SO2 to circulate fairly well.
The immediate problem I have is two 54L carboys which have just about finished MLF and I want to add sulphite but I have got them boxed into a well insulated alcove where stirring ain't gonna happen. I have less than four inches clearance above them and was simply planning to syphon in the sulphite through a silicone tube and then leave them undisturbed for the winter. Now I'm thinking I may need to set up a pump to circulate the wine around until it is well mixed.
"Remember that SO2 tends not to mix, but stays where it is added in juice or remains in a layer near the
bottom in wine. Always stir thoroughly, then stir again the next day."
I have usually added sulphite when racking and put it in the bottom of the receiving container so that it gets well mixed in as the wine is syphoned into it - but I've never thought to give it another stir the following day. Also, I'm sure I've seen comments in Bill Smiths recipes recommending floating the sulphite solution on top of a wine.
Anyone got any thoughts on the phenomenen of the sinking sulphite. I can imagine that a sulphite solution will normally have a higher SG than finished dry wine but I would have expected the free SO2 to circulate fairly well.
The immediate problem I have is two 54L carboys which have just about finished MLF and I want to add sulphite but I have got them boxed into a well insulated alcove where stirring ain't gonna happen. I have less than four inches clearance above them and was simply planning to syphon in the sulphite through a silicone tube and then leave them undisturbed for the winter. Now I'm thinking I may need to set up a pump to circulate the wine around until it is well mixed.
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