Handcraft Supplies Wine Stabiliser is potassium sorbate, used to preserve wine before bottling. Used together with sodium metabisulphite, it stops a secondary fermentation starting once your wine is finished.
Why use it
- Preserves wine before clearing and/or bottling
- With sodium metabisulphite, stops secondary fermentation
- Useful before sweetening a finished wine
Specifications
- 25g potassium sorbate
- Tamper-proof, resealable tub
How to use
Add at the dose on the label once fermentation has finished - see the How to Use box below.
Who it is for
Home winemakers stabilising a wine before bottling, especially sweet or back-sweetened wines. Use it with Handcraft Supplies Sodium Metabisulphite or Campden tablets, then clear with Handcraft Supplies Two Part Wine Fining.
Note that it is meant for wine that has finished fermenting - add it once your hydrometer readings are steady. More wine treatments are in the Handcraft Supplies chemical range.
Wine Stabiliser (Potassium Sorbate)
How to Use
Dose
½ tsp per gallon
about 1g - 5g per 23L
Use with
1 Campden per gallon
Used for: Stops a finished wine or cider re-fermenting in the bottle - essential if you sweeten before bottling.
When: Only after fermentation has completely finished (same hydrometer reading 2-3 days running) and the wine has been racked off its sediment.
Step by step
1Check fermentation has finished.
2Rack the wine off its sediment.
3Dissolve ½ teaspoon (about 1g) per gallon in a little warmed wine, adding 1 crushed Campden tablet per gallon at the same time.
4Stir into the batch, stirring now and then over about 3 days.
5Sweeten if you want to, then bottle.
Good to know: It won't stop an active fermentation. Always use with Campden tablets - on its own it can leave a geranium-like smell. Don't use in wines that have been through a malolactic ferment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I use?
½ teaspoon (about 1g) per gallon, or about 5g per 23 litres - together with one Campden tablet per gallon.
Will it stop my wine fermenting right now?
No - it only prevents re-fermentation once fermentation has finished. Wait for steady hydrometer readings first.
Do I need Campden tablets as well?
Yes - always use it with Campden tablets to protect the wine and avoid a geranium-like off-smell.
Do I need it for dry wine?
Usually not - it's mainly for when you sweeten a wine before bottling.
