Wine bottle: what are they and which one to choose for a beginner

Before you start making wine, you need to decide on a bottle. The quality of the product will depend on its material and volume. The choice must be made carefully. The three main criteria you need to know are material, volume, and tightness.

What material is the best for wine bottles

1. Glass

   The most comfortable material to use. The containers made of it will not come into contact with the brew, they will serve for a long time, they will perfectly see what is happening with the wort. Cons: such a bottle is heavy to lift, glass is a fragile substance, requires careful handling, transmits light, you will have to look for a dark, secluded place. But of all the options, glass can be recommended with 100% confidence. If you are worried, look for a container with a protective braid made of plastic. It does not cost fabulous money and is easier to use.

   

2. Wood

   Barrels made of this material are a classic of winemaking. The tree will not let the sun's rays through and will keep the temperature regime. Such a pleasure is not cheap and it is difficult to clean their barrels afterwards. Definitely not suitable for beginners.

   

3. Ceramic

   In ceramic dishes, alcohol retains its properties, aroma and taste for a long time.

   

4. Stainless steel

   Highly durable, will last a long time, not affected by acids, alkalis. Cons: metal has an unpleasant property of oxidizing when in contact with liquid, so the wine will acquire a metallic flavor. The bottle will be very expensive. A milk can is not suitable for the same reasons.

   

What volume of wine bottle to choose for a beginner

There are many variations in the volume of containers. The minimum can be 10 liters, the maximum - 100. This is not the limit. Start with a not too large volume, about 20-30 liters. Let the container be portable, first of all. Secondly, it will not allow you to spoil a large amount of wine.

What else is worth considering

1. Air space should be left between 25 and 30%. In the case of brew, 50% is better, so as not to "wet" the water seal.

2. If the fermentation is quiet, top up almost to the neck. There will be losses in the process of removing foam, pouring and decanting.

3. When choosing the number of fermenter, focus on the scale of the moonshine. Fill it with 75% to distill the wort in 2-3 passes.

Airtightness

This indicator should be reduced to an absolute. Any cracks, crevices, chips are excluded. As for the barrels, wood itself is a breathable material due to the pores. This will not spoil the quality.

If you buy a whole and untouched container without a water seal or a hole for it, adequately calculate your strength. It is possible that in the process of drilling a hole and other repairs, the bottle may be damaged.

Final tips from Vzboltai

1. Preference should be given to glassware and never metal.

2. Do not spend money on the largest volume. Take a closer look at the range from 20 to 30 liters, you can even start from 10.

3. Check for a water seal/required opening to avoid risks.

Update: 12.04.2020

Category: Wine and Vermouth