Using Wine Soaked Oak Cubes

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by InVinoVeritas, Oct 4, 2013.

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  1. InVinoVeritas

    InVinoVeritas Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Wisconsin

    I just oaked my first beer. They were soaked in bourbon. I'm assuming it's a no contest that bourbon has more than enough alky to kill the bugs, but is that the case when using wine? In other words, is it sterile to oak with wine?
     
    #1 InVinoVeritas, Oct 4, 2013
  2. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Wine's better than nothing but I wouldn't chance it. To my understanding they use sulfates when cleaning the inside of a barrel when making wine. Spend the extra buck and go with something high octane. If you don't want to waste good bourbon then go with something neutral like vodka or Ever Clear.
     
    #2 inchrisin, Oct 4, 2013
  3. WeaponTheyFear

    WeaponTheyFear Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Connecticut

    I've wanted to use wine soaked oak cubes but my question wouldn't be about sanitation but how long could you soak them before the wine basically turned to vinegar?
     
    #3 WeaponTheyFear, Oct 4, 2013
  4. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah


    I'd give you 6 months, but it would probably hold up if you used a port. :slight_smile:

    **I have never tried soaking in wine, BTW
     
    #4 inchrisin, Oct 4, 2013
  5. DrewBeechum

    DrewBeechum Pooh-Bah (1,954) Mar 15, 2003 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I've held cubes in wine for about a year before anything funny happens with them, but yeah, wine, I'd do for a few months and then use.
     
    #5 DrewBeechum, Oct 4, 2013
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