2018 Wines - Chapter 7 - Grenache Rosé

I gained some confidence with the Row 7 rosé, so we scaled up. Picked up 108# of Grenache, and I wondered if these were grown relatively cool or picked early, because the color was very light. I couldn't imagine making a red wine from these grapes. We crushed on Saturday, added 2T pectic enzyme, 15g Opti White, 1.2g Lallzyme EX; by the following day it was a nice pink color and we pressed off about 8 gallons. At crush pH 3.11, TA 0.78%, SG 1.100. So much for picking early. Inoculated with QA 23, 12g bentonite, and step fed with Fermaid K. The SB was in the chiller so this wine started off in the new 10g fermenter in ice baths.

The ferment was nice and clean but started slow. After a week it was only 1.065, but at that time the SB came out of the chiller and this rosé went in. Once the temps were steady it dropped quickly. At 1.004 I racked to carboy and hit it with KMS at rate of 1ml/gal. It was in the fermenter with minimal disturbance for 2 weeks. It finished in the carboy and is developing nice color.