Yesterday, I bottled 29 bottles of my second batch of Pinot Noir. Because the first batch was so popular at Christmas time, I had to start another batch. This one is better than the first.
The wine I bottle yesterday was more full-bodied. One of the mistakes that I had been making before today was topping off the carboys as they sat during clearing. That had an effect of watering down the wine too much. Sure, I wanted to get a full 30 bottles…but really, I was getting 29 bottles stretched into 30 bottles. The other thing is that I have been more careful to leave behind more of the sediment in the carboys at racking, reducing the amount of wine that I have to bottle, but keeping a much more refined wine. Makes sense.
I’ve also decided that I’m going to stay with #8 corks with the hand-corker that I have. Though I can get a #9 cork into the bottle with the hand-corker, it is much more work, and I’m not sure it is worth it.
So this batch of Pinot Noir has an alcohol percentage of 13.3% alcohol by volume. Perfect. As I bottled, of course, I tatsted the wine and smelled it. It has a wonderfully smooth taste, with a clean finish. After a couple months of aging, this wine will definitely be at the top of my favorites list.