Thick foam???

[kerosine]

I recently added the finings to my 5 gallon batch of Selection VIEUX CHATEAU du ROI (Chateau Neuf).

I used a whizz stick to stir (attached to my power drill) and followed the instructions and stirred for 2 minutes.

There is now a thick layer of foam (much like the head of a milk shake) on the top of the wine and it has no dissolved in the last two days. Is this normal???

Should I just not worry about it and when I rack in a few days leave the head in the carbouy?

has anyone else experienced this have I done something wrong?

[Duffbeer]

I recently added the finings to my 5 gallon batch of Selection VIEUX CHATEAU du ROI (Chateau Neuf).

I used a whizz stick to stir (attached to my power drill) and followed the instructions and stirred for 2 minutes.

There is now a thick layer of foam (much like the head of a milk shake) on the top of the wine and it has no dissolved in the last two days. Is this normal???

Should I just not worry about it and when I rack in a few days leave the head in the carbouy?

has anyone else experienced this have I done something wrong?

You should not have used the whizz stick after adding finings, you've basically beaten an egg. use the whizz stick to de gas before adding finings. Then stir the finings in gently with a long spoon once you are sure the wine is de gassed. I would let this rest for a while before progressing with any further instructions.

[kerosine]

Does that mean I've ruined it?

when will I know its safe to rack?

[Duffbeer]

Not necciceraly ruined that's what we hope to prevent, I would replace airlock and leave it a few day's maybe a week, the foamed finings should sink to the bottom of the vessal. Then rack/proceed with instructions, or if not gone re post here and we'll work from there.

[kerosine]

cheers

I'm such a dope - I don't care but I asked the guy in the shop where i bought the whizz stick if it would be suitable to stir in the finings !

[lockwood1956]

You are good..........

leave it to sit for awhile.........time is a great ally in winemaking





let it sit for a while and you may find that the wine will sort itself out!

[kerosine]

thanks for your help Duff & Bob

[kerosine]

Can I just ask everybody something

If you have a 5 gallon carboy full of wine, how the dickens do you give it a good vigorous stir for two minutes? Do you stick a plastic rod through the small opening and wiggle it furiously? Or do you empty the contents into a plastic bucket stir in a more normal sedate and dignified fashion then transfer back to the carboy?

[Duffbeer]

Yep it's easier to transfer to a bucket as the splashing will also help with de gassing, also if you have a lid and airlock for your bucket, leave it there until you've added finings and clearing has taken place, then rack back to carboy.

[kerosine]

Hi guys

the thick purple foam remains unchanged.

Would you recommend racking into a fermenting bin, then stir to mix in the foam/break it up, then rack back into the carboy?

Cheers

[Duffbeer]

Yep that is probably the next best step, but stir gently

[kerosine]

I will be gentleness personified

Cheers

[lockwood1956]

I will be gentleness personified

Cheers

You are a Geordie, we don't do gentleness (Gazza is the only Geordie who cried..... EVER)

[kerosine]

It was ok

i just pretended life was going in slow motion


seemed to do the trick ;o)

[lockwood1956]

i just pretended life was going in slow motion

fantastic