Ho hum.... have I messed up my homebrew?

[Seahorse]

I'm doing one of those Wine Buddy kits (red). Got to the end of the 7 days, tested it with the hygrometer thing and all seemed well. Tasted it briefly but I'd had cabbage for tea, so couldn't really 'taste' it. Anyway, I did all the finings etc and left it for 24 hours to clear, which it's done.

However, I noticed the top of the bucket was a bit raised this morning and there was a small but definite 'waft' when I opened it. Plus it tastes well... a bit rough!

Could it still be fermenting? And if it is, can I rescue it?

[shirlthegirl43]

Did you add the stabiliser before the finings? If so it should not be fermenting. It could be that you haven't degassed it enough and that is causing a smell - half fill a bottle, put your hand over the top to seal it, shake well and see if it froths. If it does then you will have to degass each bottle before corking (or siphon off into a sterilised demijohn and give that a good shake to degass before bottling from the demijohn. When you have got the gas out the wine will taste better.

[Seahorse]

Yes, definitely added the stabiliser etc. It does froth a bit, so I will try degassing. Thanks Shirl

[shirlthegirl43]

If you stir it up in the main brew container you will stir up all the lees too - that's why I suggested putting it into a demijohn. The lees will settle again if you need to stir it where it is - it will just be a while before you can bottle and taste it.

[Seahorse]

Phew, it tastes much more palatable after a good shake. I've siphoned into a demijohn and what bottles I had. I accidentally stirred up the lees when siphoning into the second demijohn but no matter, I just poured it back to resettle.

Thanks Shirl!

[shirlthegirl43]

Glad to be of assistance.