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Author Topic: Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.  (Read 871 times)

Offline chuck jones

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Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.
« on: July 10, 2020, 06:17:47 pm »
I will be making a Saison to which I plan to add some Sauvignon Blanc grape juice. I notice that the package says the juice contains sulfites. I'm concerned this may affect fermentation completion. I had planned to add it during max kreusen. Maybe I should wait till secondary? Love to hear from those with experience

Offline KellerBrauer

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Re: Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2020, 06:08:29 am »
I’m not a wine maker by any stretch.  But if you plan on adding grape juice to your fermenter along with your beer, I suggest you use grape juice intended to be used to make wine.  No chemicals, ready to go.
Joliet, IL

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Offline jeffy

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Re: Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2020, 08:04:35 am »
I have made a witbier with added grape must, which came out nicely, sort of like a beer that Dogfish Head made called Red and White.  If the grape juice was intended for making wine, then I don’t think the sulfites will make a difference.
I added it during fermentation, but not exactly as a secondary, just poured into the primary.
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
Homebrewing since 1990
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2020, 10:45:31 am »
The sulfites are to prevent wild yeast on the grape skins from fermenting the must. It off-gasses fairly readily and shouldnt affect your fermentation. This is a common practice with wines and ciders, and those all ferment just fine once you pitch yeast into it.

One of the best beers I've ever brewed was a Saison with added Gewurztraminer must. I added the must about a week in to fermentation, if I recall correctly. It was once the initial fermentation had started to slow down, but was still slightly active. I think you will enjoy your results.
Eric B.

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Offline HopDen

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Re: Wine grape additions to fermentation: sulfites etc.
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2020, 06:47:28 am »
Not an issue. Proceed as planned.