Thursday, April 12, 2012

Hydrometer

This thing looks similar to a wine thermometer but instead measures specific gravity.  You will use the hydrometer along with a test jar to monitor the progress of fermentation. Using a wine thief you'll fill enough wine into the test jar and then float the hydrometer and take a reading.

Once you mix everything in the primary fermenter on day one you should take a reading. Most likely the reading will be something like SG 1.070 to 1.090. When your wine has completed fermentation in the carboy and you're ready to bottle, the reading should be around SG 0.995.

The readings are important because you will see when the wine has completed its fermentation.  Also you can calculate the estimated alcohol content of your wine.The formula for estimating the alcohol content is found here.

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