Using Paper Chromatography to Monitor MLF in Wine

November 30, 2010

This year, I grabbed 300 pounds of Petite Sirah grapes. I've found that these single varietal dry reds use quite a different process than fruit wines. The vineyard will wait to harvest the grape until it reaches the ideal brix for that varietal so to the winemaker the variables are a bit more controlled than that of a typical fruit wine where the variables are all over the place.

One of the things we do in red wine is undergo malolactic fermentation. This is where malic acid is converted to lactic acid... contributing to more rounded flavors and mouth-feel.

We need to know when malolactic fermentation is completed and we do this through the use of paper chromatography. In this video, I demonstrate the test and explain it as best I can. Hope it's helpful.

Tags: how-to , wine

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COMMENTS

Thanks for the chromatography video. I just put my paper in the solvent to leave overnight, and was glad to see this video beforehand. I'm making my first Cab Sauv from grapes I bought in Napa!

Dave S 11:53PM 11/14/11

Thanks! I've never seen this process before; read about it, but never seen it. I appreciate you going through the trouble to make this video and show us.

Paul 1:39AM 12/01/10

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