Question:
Hi, I live in a cold part of the UK and have just started to get interested in making wine, I’ve read all the books I can get my hands on but still have some questions. 1: The house I live in is an old stone house, and even with the heating full on the core temprature only rises to about 56f/13c is this still OK to ferment my wine? 2: If not, is there anything I can build to keep my fermenting wine at the right temrature? I look forwards to any help. Thank you. Chaz Ralph.
Response:
I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily true, but you will have to source some good low temperature yeasts. For ale, both Wyeast 1007 and 1728 ferment down to 55F. You will get very clean tasting ales. Lalvin EC1118 is an excellent cold temperature yeast. I have fermented whites in my modified fridge at temps down to 50C. And of course, if you develop a taste for lagers, you are in very good shape. I wish my basement got that cool. Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You really should check out rec.crafts.winemaking. 56F is too cold for a good vigorous ferment of wine and ale. There is a product available called a brew belt that you can install on your fermenter to warm it up to the right temperature for the first week of so. I saw one recently in eBay for $5 of $6 US dollars. Layne Rossi Campbell River, British Columbia
Response:
Thank you. I wish my basement got that WARM, that’s my front room, the warmest pace in the house. My house has ceiling vented warm air, which, while it does keep me warm, it doesn’t actually warn the room up, but I’ve started a wine (I found a yeast that is OK for low temperatures) and its now bubbling away behind the sofa, and I might try a larger next as I’ve just brought some barrels. Anyway. Thanks to everyone for all reply’s Chaz. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily true, but you will have to source some good low temperature yeasts. For ale, both Wyeast 1007 and 1728 ferment down to 55F. You will get very clean tasting ales. Lalvin EC1118 is an excellent cold temperature yeast. I have fermented whites in my modified fridge at temps down to 50C. And of course, if you develop a taste for lagers, you are in very good shape. I wish my basement got that cool. Brian You really should check out rec.crafts.winemaking. 56F is too cold for a good vigorous ferment of wine and ale. There is a product available called a brew belt that you can install on your fermenter to warm it up to the right temperature for the first week of so. I saw one recently in eBay for $5 of $6 US dollars. Layne Rossi Campbell River, British Columbia
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