Wine Chemistry

Checking for total acidity
using our Vinmetrica

We've been getting better at analyzing and testing our grapes and juice.  Each year, we've bought additional "tools" and learned more about the chemistry and microbiology of wine.  Our last major purchase was a Vinmetrica system earlier this year, for checking pH, Total Acidity and SO2. 

Tina is currently taking a wine chemistry class at the local community college and got to use more sophisticated equipment during a "hands-on" lab this weekend.  This included an ebulliometer, a cash still and an  aeration-oxidation apparatus. We also did some chromatography and had lots of practice with different titration methods.

Checking sulfur dioxide levels
via the aeration oxidation method

Using a Cash Still to determine
levels of volatile acidity