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Wine · Guide
The Art of Bottling Wine
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FastRack Green Wine Bottles 750ml, 12-Pack W5 Bordeaux | Bottles | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
| FastRack Bag of 100, #9 Straight Wine Corks | Corks | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
| Portuguese Double Lever Corker | Corker | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
| Brewing Hydrometer Alcohol Tester Kit: USA-Made Beer & Wine American-Made Specific Gravity ABV Test Pro Series Traceable & Borosilicate Glass Test Tube Jar & Brush | Hydrometer | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
| Italian Floor Wine Corker for Bottling | If you bottle often, upgrade the corker | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
| Five Star Star San, 32 Ounce | Sanitiser | Check price ↗ (paid link) |
Prices come from Amazon and refresh nightly. A pick shows “Check price” when we do not have a current figure for it.
Introduction to Bottling Wine
For more wine tips, check out our wine making guides.Bottling wine is a crucial step in the winemaking process that requires careful attention to detail to ensure the quality and longevity of the wine. Whether you are a seasoned winemaker or a beginner, proper bottling techniques are essential to prevent spoilage, oxidation, and contamination. In this article, we will guide you through the equipment list, step-by-step process, and pro tips for bottling wine like a professional.
Equipment List
To bottle wine properly, you will need the following equipment:
- Wine bottles
- Corks or screw caps
- Bottle filler
- Corker or screw cap applicator
- Hydrometer
- Siphon and racking tube
- Bottle brush and sanitizer
- Wine thief or pipette
Bottles
FastRack Green Wine Bottles 750ml, 12-Pack W5 Bordeaux
Green glass to keep light off the wine, Bordeaux shoulders so they bin and stack. Sold without corks so you can choose those separately.
Corks
FastRack Bag of 100, #9 Straight Wine Corks
#9 is the standard diameter for a 750 ml neck. A hundred at a time means you are not rationing them halfway through a batch.
Corker
Portuguese Double Lever Corker
A double-lever hand corker is the cheapest tool that will actually seat a #9 cork in a wine bottle. For a batch or two a year it is enough.
Hydrometer
Brewing Hydrometer Alcohol Tester Kit: USA-Made Beer & Wine American-Made Specific Gravity ABV Test Pro Series Traceable & Borosilicate Glass Test Tube Jar & Brush
The previous pick here was discontinued, and this is the closest current listing in the same class at a comparable price. It fills the same slot: Hydrometer. We have not tested it, and the specifics below come from the listing rather than from us.
Step-by-Step Guide to Bottling Wine
Follow these steps to bottle your wine:
- Prepare your equipment and sanitize all utensils and bottles.
- Rack the wine from the secondary fermenter to a new vessel, leaving behind any sediment.
- Check the specific gravity of the wine using a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete.
- Fill the bottles using a bottle filler, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.
- Insert the cork or screw cap, and secure it using a corker or screw cap applicator.
- Label and package the bottles for storage or distribution.
Pro Tips for Bottling Wine
Here are some expert tips to help you improve your bottling technique:
- Use high-quality corks or screw caps to prevent leakage and contamination.
- Monitor the temperature and humidity levels during bottling to prevent spoilage.
- Use a bottle brush and sanitizer to clean and sanitize the bottles before filling.
- Fill the bottles slowly and carefully to prevent splashing and oxidation.
If you bottle often, upgrade the corker
Italian Floor Wine Corker for Bottling
An iris-jaw floor corker compresses the cork evenly and drives it with a lever and your body weight, so corks seat flush and straight across thirty bottles without wearing your hands out.
Sanitiser
Five Star Star San, 32 Ounce
No-rinse at working strength, so a sanitised bottle goes straight to filling. A rinse step with tap water would undo the sanitising.
Looking for more brewing resources? Browse our wine making equipment or visit our brewing and fermentation for more tools and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers about bottling wine:
- Q: How long does it take to bottle wine?
- A: The bottling process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the quantity of wine and the equipment used.
- Q: What is the ideal temperature for bottling wine?
- A: The ideal temperature for bottling wine is between 50°F and 60°F (10°C and 15°C), with a relative humidity of 60-70%.
- Q: Can I use screw caps instead of corks?
- A: Yes, screw caps are a viable alternative to corks and can provide a tighter seal and better protection against spoilage and contamination.
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Brewing Hydrometer Alcohol Tester Kit: USA-Made Beer & Wine American-Made Specific Gravity…
