How to Make Wine - Step 4 - Filtering

[Sn0manX]

andy watkins-"yes, make this at home, with this expensive ass machine. wait, you dont have one?"

[extremeaudioPRO]

i understand the filtering process and the stiring process however air is the worst enemy to making wine so why would you use a pump that adds air bubbles to the wine as it is being pumped through it...seems to me that its just asking for failure?

[kcgremlin33]

what would be another way to filter without one of those machines?

[Celdoir]

@kcgremlin33 If you don't have a filter like his (or the ability to rent a filter from a local shop), simply rack your wine again. Because racking isn't using filters, you will likely have to rack and let the tiny amount of sediment resettle and then rack again for a clean/clear finish. It is likely there will be a tiny amount of sediment in your bottles, but that is nothing to worry about.

[spaceman1x]

this is such a good tutorial. i only started making wine a few months ago and i have a better idea of how to work now. Thanks.

[izzietheliz]

Most wines clear with time and steady racking in my experience. Is filtering necessary, or does it just speed up the process/make it easier?

[awatkins3]

You are correct. We do it to save time & energy.

[Celdoir]

@izzietheliz speeds up the process and ensures a clearer finish. Definitely not required. This is to achieve that commercial clear finish.

[bkchs2003]

I like to rack my wine multiple times rather than filtering. I think this process over time delivers a better taste however it's a lot more work. The way I do it is first rack about 30 days next at 90 days and then at 180 leaving the bottom inch or so to keep from pulling sediment.

[coronet67]

Some wines are thicker, or not clear. Are some wines not filtered?

[awatkins3]

I'm sure some wines are not filtered, but that doesn't mean the wine is thicker. The "thickness" or "body" of the wine depends on the grape and sugar content. Ice wines may be light in color, but they are very 'thick' because of the amount of sweetness. An Amarone and Cabernet Sauvignon has lots of body because of the grape type. Someone correct me if I'm a little off on this. I'd like to hear your opinion.

[coronet67]

@awatkins3

I dont really know the correct terms for what I'm trying to say.

Maybe theres variations of filtering for different wines.

[awatkins3]

Sure, you can rack into a clean carboy just before stabilizing. By then the alcohol is made. But, unless the 'lees' have settled you won't be removing the cloudiness behind.

[1j927]

Can I rack into a clean carboy before stabilizing, to leave most of the yeast and cloudyness behind.

[mboll101x]

andy , had anyone expirimented with more home-grown filtering...such as large coffee filters, or an extremely fine mesh screen of some sort?

[awatkins3]

Someone told me their grandfather used cheese-cloth, so it's worth experimenting with different materials. Try this: rack 90% of the clear wine into a clean container or bottle directly. Use only the last 10% which contains the settled 'lees' to experiment using a coffee filter. But, don't use the coffee strainer previously used to make coffee or your wine will taste like coffee...which may not be bad for coffee lovers. If that doesn't work try another fabric. Tell me what works.

[skozim]

Panty hose works, you need to sterilize it with a sulphite solution though. : )

[SKTPSY]

humm! where on earth am I going to get such a commercial machine to filter my wine?

[awatkins3]

Read the message below where I describe what to do without the filter machine.

Andy

[brick4sale]

I don't have that, how can I do this without the filter machine?

[awatkins3]

Just rack your wine a couple times over several months.

[tkodawg9]

i want to marry this man and im a man

[gzussturbo]

Where is part 5? These are great vids, thanks for uploading!

[sj8h]

This brilliant thanks, its so interesting! I have an interview for a laboratory technician at a wineries, could anyone give me some tips or what i could say about the job? Is standard wet chemical techniqes, specific gravity, alcohol by volume, pH, total acid, DO2, DCO2 difficult to learn in winery laboratories? thanks ever so much if you could help me out

[awatkins3]

If I understand the question, 4 to 7 weeks; or about 2 hours; or 10 minutes to filter. Hope I covered the bases with my answer.

[fuzzshitboy]

start to finsh how long does it take?

[awatkins3]

6-7 weeks

[gritsandhomefries]

why did it change cololr?

[awatkins3]

Did it change color? Or when the particles were removed it just appeared to change color.

[choongmy]

How many grams of potassium sorbate recommended to use in 1 liter of wine?

[awatkins3]

Potassium Sorbate is meant to prevent re-fermentation after bottling when the addition of a sweetner is used. A dry red wine fully fermented should not require Sorbate which "kills" the yeast. Having said that we add Sorbate to ALL our wines as insurance. The common amount is 5.5 grams per 6 gallons. Sorry, you can do the math to convert to liters.

[1stchickachickayea]

great vids

[BrilIiance]

You sir, are awesome!

[oxidize99]

excellent set of videos. thank you so much!

[lakelandwinery]

If the smell is from bacteria, add potassium metabisulfite to kill the bacteria. Add isinglass, stir hard and filter. If you just don't like the wine, blend with another wine or add sweetener. If sweetening, be sure to add sorbate to kill the yeast, or it may re-ferment.

[ArcadeeRPG]

Ugh~ It smells so bad.