19 replies to this topic

[Purple Grin Winery]

So...2011 was my first vintage into FlexTanks...as I was a bit suspicious of my neutral barrels after five years. 2011 really is a great wine, and think I did indeed have some VA stuff going on in previous years. But I have noticed that the CO2 doesn't seem to dissapate as fast as barrels.

Since my pH is up at 3.85, I have been vigilent about my free sulfite, and figuring that the flextanks age quicker, that I could barrel some time in September to make room for 2012 (crazy-small berries hanging....I'm SO excited!).

Has anyone else noticed the gas issue? I wonder if I should do some agitation?? I hate to splash rack at this pH......Ideas???? More tanks???

Scott

[Tomer1]

Whats the storage temp? warming the wine up and racking using a pump should take care of your co2 problem.

[Crazy Run Ranch]

Hey Scott. I guess it makes sense that w/o the vacuum created in barrels, the CO2 would be slower to work itself out. Did you intend to say "bottle in September" rather than "barrel"? I wouldn't splash rack. What about a light vacuum applied to the tank? If its full of wine you won't collapse it.

[gregorio]

I'm with Steve. Long, slow vacuum would be the most gentle. If you have not racked the wine since it has been in th FT, you might consider a regular racking. Pumping it will drive out a lot of CO2.

[Chris_Austin]

More tanks!!

(now, what was the question??)

[GEM]

Scott,

I sure hope the flextanks work out for you. I am seriously considering using Flex's when I start my winemaking in a couple years. Jan of course wants oak barrels! Gary

[Calamity Cellars]

This coming crush I will be making enough syrah that I can do a portion in a flex tank. I am excited to see the side by side comparison with barrels.

[bzac]

I bought a 200 litre flextank and an enolmatic setup from a winepress member a few months ago.

there is a small chance I may return home before this years harvest so I might just get a chance to try the tank out this year.

Z

[Crazy Run Ranch]

This coming crush I will be making enough syrah that I can do a portion in a flex tank. I am excited to see the side by side comparison with barrels.

Hmmm. I hopefully have lots of Syrah coming this year too. It would be an interesting comparison, especially if done twice.

[Hammered]

Scott,

A great way to degas this wine would be to vacuum rack into a barrel, and with a valve on your racking cane in the barrel, rack about 50% of the wine then shut off the valve and just pull a vacuum for a few minutes to get up to about 15"hg. Then open the valve for another 5 gallons and repeat the shut off the valve and pull more vacuum. And repeat. If you want a visual of how much foaming you'll get, try doing this with a carboy.

As you get closer to the top of the barrel, you'll start pulling foam into the overflow container, but no worries. Just keep pulling until you're pulling wine into the overflow, then pour it back to the barrel.

I use this method with all my reds as part of my pre-bottling preparation and after starting to do this, have never had a fizzy wine. Hope this helps.

[Doyle]

I have not had a problem with Flextanks and gas but my reds are typically in the tank for at least 18 months and up until a month ago they were always in my garage so the temps were up in the mid 60s.

[Purple Grin Winery]

Alright, gang. All good ideas. And yes, I meant to say "bottling" in September... I've been keeping the cellar at 64.0F, so I can keep the electric company hungry.

Since my barrels are all dry, or decorating the deck, I'll try pulling a light vacuum on the FT and see where that goes. Perhaps taking a gallon out first....

FWIW, I am convinced that the FT's were a good idea. Just a little different on the vacuum thing.

Enjoy your holiday, kids!

[Proud Puppy]

Alright, gang. All good ideas. And yes, I meant to say "bottling" in September... I've been keeping the cellar at 64.0F, so I can keep the electric company hungry.

Since my barrels are all dry, or decorating the deck, I'll try pulling a light vacuum on the FT and see where that goes. Perhaps taking a gallon out first....

FWIW, I am convinced that the FT's were a good idea. Just a little different on the vacuum thing.

Enjoy your holiday, kids!

Careful with vacuum on the tank it will pucker like a squashed beer can with minimal pressure. You won't get any useful level. Even the fruit pails which seem rigid enough to withstand a little, collapse right down with low vacuum. Atmospheric pressure is surprisingly strong!

[Judge]

I recently racked from  30gal flextank to another with no problem. I made a racking cane from an idea hammered had used for a carboy. The tank did not collapse, however I increased vacuum to just enough to facilitate transfer. I had spoke with John at Flex Tank prior and he said it should not be a problem. I have used flex tanks for 3 years and now have 8 30 gal FT which work well for my needs. Pictures attached.

Attached Files

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[Judge]

2nd picture