How to Clear Cloudy Wine: Bentonite, Wine Finings & More
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A cloudy wine is one of the most common frustrations in home winemaking. The good news is that most hazes can be cleared, as long as you know what's causing them. This guide covers the main clearing agents for wine and cider, including bentonite and two-part finings. For beer, see How to Clear Cloudy Beer.
Step One: Is Fermentation Finished?
The most common reason a wine won't clear is that it isn't finished. Rising CO₂ keeps particles stirred up, and finings added too early are wasted. Check that your hydrometer reading is the same two or three days running before trying to clear it.
Often time alone does the job: a finished wine left somewhere cool and undisturbed for a few weeks will usually clear a lot on its own.
What Causes Wine Haze?
- Yeast: the most common cause; settles with time or finings
- Protein: common in white wines and some fruit wines; bentonite removes it
- Pectin: from fruit; won't respond to finings and needs pectolase
Bentonite
Bentonite is a natural clay. It swells in water and attracts proteins and other particles, dragging them to the bottom as sediment. It's particularly good at preventing protein haze in white and fruit wines, and it's vegan-friendly.
How to use: mix 1–2 teaspoons with warm water into a smooth slurry, stir it into the wine, then leave it undisturbed for 3–7 days before racking off the sediment. Many winemakers add it at the start of fermentation too, as a preventative. Also available as Handcraft Supplies Sodium Bentonite 100g.
Two-Part Wine Finings
Two-part finings are the fastest way to clear most wines. Part A (kieselsol, a form of silica) binds to the haze particles, then part B (chitosan) makes them clump together and sink.
How to use: rack the wine off its sediment, stir in part A gently, wait about an hour, then stir in part B. Most wines are clear within 24–48 hours. Always follow the pack instructions.
- Young's Wine Finings – treats up to 23 litres
- Handcraft Supplies Two Part Wine Fining (1 gallon) or (5 gallon)
- Young's Clear It – two-part, treats up to 270 litres, good value if you make a lot
Note: chitosan is usually derived from crustacean shells, so two-part finings aren't vegan. Use bentonite and extra settling time instead.
Clearing Cider
The same principles apply. Starbrite is a vegan-friendly fining that clears cider as well as beer.
Tips for Brilliant Clarity
- Use pectolase at the start of any fruit wine to prevent pectin haze.
- Rack carefully off the sediment with a syphon after fining.
- Keep the wine cool and still while it settles.
- Stabilise before bottling with a Campden tablet, plus potassium sorbate if you'll sweeten.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear cloudy wine?
Make sure fermentation has finished, give it time somewhere cool, then use bentonite or two-part finings. For fruit wines, rule out pectin haze first.
What is bentonite used for in wine?
It's a natural clay that removes proteins and other particles, clearing wine and preventing protein haze. It's vegan-friendly.
How long do wine finings take to work?
Two-part finings usually clear wine within 24–48 hours. Bentonite takes around 3–7 days.
Why is my wine still cloudy after finings?
Usually because fermentation wasn't quite finished, or because of pectin haze, which finings can't remove. Test for pectin by mixing a little wine with methylated spirits: jelly-like strings or clots mean pectin.
Are wine finings vegan?
Two-part finings containing chitosan aren't. Bentonite is vegan-friendly.