Technical Yearbook 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

Storage and general condition • Products must be stored in optimal conditions, as specified by the product supplier. • Ensure that the product is still within its expiry date before use. • Powders must be dry and the vacuum of yeast packets should be intact. A product like sulphur water should not contain crystals that have formed on the bottom of the container. • If the product has a suspicious smell when you open it, first find out whether it is the normal smell of the product (e.g. isinglass), or an indication of possible spoilage. • Maintain a high standard of hygiene in the handling and storage of additives to avoid contamination of the products. Equipment and hygiene Additions usually require the use of some form of equipment to execute the action correctly. This may include items like a scale, bucket, measuring spoons, measuring cylinders, measuring bins or vats, a proper whisk (not just a broom handle), pumps and pipes. Even a ladder might be required occasionally to ensure the tank is open at the top before initiating certain actions. These pieces of equipment must be intact, clean and calibrated, and also 100% suitable for the intended action to be performed. Protective equipment This aspect is extremely important. Ensure that the correct

personal protective equipment (PPE) is used for the task on hand. Rather be too cautious than not careful enough. Accidents can happen very quickly. Preparation process The following factors play an important role in this regard: • The medium in which the processing aid must dissolve, namely water or wine. • The recommended temperature. Certain types of gelatin, tannins and bentonite dissolve better in lukewarm water. • Swelling time. Certain additives require a specific amount of time to swell before they can be added, for example bentonite. There are also products that conversely have to be added as soon as possible after preparation, for example powder enzymes. • The ratio for mixing additives, for example 1 to 10 or even 1 to 20. Care must always be taken to ensure that there are no lumps in the solution/mixture, and that the additive is homogeneously spread within the water or wine. Method of addition The way the additive is added is very important. Simply pouring a full bucket of sulphur water in only one corner of a five-ton load of grapes is not optimal. Rather use a watering can to evenly distribute the additive over all the grapes in the receiving bin. The most optimal way to add additives to a tank, is to

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024