Fruit wine under airlock?

Alcoholic beverages which are not classified as spirits.

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Tabucowboy
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Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by Tabucowboy »

I have 5 gal apple wine that is basically left over apple parts (Skin, apple pieces, and core) from making apple butter.

My questions are:
how long can the wine sit in the primary fermenter under airlock, before racking off?

Can something happen if left to long?
CM Reflux Still -- Copper mesh 16" ,column 31" tall, dia. 2",temp at boiler,top of column, power - PAC w5500w Element
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still_stirrin
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Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by still_stirrin »

Tabucowboy wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:25 pm I have 5 gal apple wine that is basically left over apple parts (Skin, apple pieces, and core) from making apple butter.

My questions are:
how long can the wine sit in the primary fermenter under airlock, before racking off?

Can something happen if left to long?
A year, possibly more. It depends somewhat on the environment, is it exposed to temperature extremes? Subject to light, ie sunlight? Keep it in “celler conditions”, ie - cool and dark, and it will keep a long time.

What can happen....it could sour if exposed to bacterial contamination. But, that is unlikely if the pH is low and it is airlock protected. Also, I would suggest racking to a secondary after a couple of months to get it off of the yeast, as it could start to impart a flavor back to the wine after a time. Also, I’d get the wine off the marc after a few months for the same reasons.
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Demy
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Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by Demy »

In theory it could be kept for a long time but we have to look at various factors: alcohol content, bacterial load and indigenous yeasts, storage temperature are the first things that come to mind. So it depends on the process used and the environment. In any case, I would recommend the separation of solids from wine.
Shine0n
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Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by Shine0n »

Certain yeast will do better for aging after a rack, 71B is horrible but QA23 Is great for fine lees.

They'll clean up behind themselves and wont impart naties if left for up to a year.

Scottlabhandbook is my go for yeast selection, they also give very detailed descriptions on charachter and best uses etc. etc.
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Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by stillanoob »

What is the ABV? If it is actual wine with 12% or so it will keep longer than cider. Also, it will begin to lose flavor after a year or so. I have left some cider for almost 2 years, it was still fine but had lost the apple character and could have been a light white wine. Not bad, just not what I was looking for.
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Tabucowboy
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Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

Post by Tabucowboy »

Thank you all very much.
CM Reflux Still -- Copper mesh 16" ,column 31" tall, dia. 2",temp at boiler,top of column, power - PAC w5500w Element
Pot Still -- Copper mesh 16",column, 23" tall dia. 2", temp at boiler, power - PAC w5500w Element
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