Many of you find after you rack your wine you are left with too much air space above the wine and below the airlock. What do you do?

While it is not a problem in the relatively short period in the carboy prior to stabilization, if you bulk age or leave your wine until you are able to get at it the wine should not have too much airspace in the carboy or oxidation can occur. The wine kit manufacturers suggest you top up with a similar wine or water. (Note wine should only be added after the wine has been stabilized for at least 2 weeks). Many shudder at adding water to their precious wine and others hate adding a similar wine thinking that it will negate the true flavour of the wine. While this is a small portion of the 23 litres we would like to suggest another idea.

Why not add marbles? Yes marbles! The marbles will displace some of the room in the carboy and being inert; will not harm your wine. They can be removed from the carboy easily after the wine has been racked. Of course the marbles should be sterilized to prevent contamination. We are trying to figure out what goes best with your Spanish Rioja, cat’s eyes or beauties!