As soon as your alcoholic (and if desired malolactic) fermentations are over we recommend adding SO2 to help protect the wine during the ageing/storage period. The amount needed is very small and is referred to as "ppm" (parts per million). The ppm of free SO2 needed to protect your wine is pH dependent, and this specific amount should be maintained in the wine at all times throughout the ageing/storage period.
Managing SO2 Levels:
In practice this means that from time to time you will need to test the wine for the amount of free SO2 it contains. If the free SO2 test results indicate your wine has a lower ppm of free SO2 than the recommended range needed to protect it at its current pH, then you will need to add whatever amount of SO2 is needed to raise the level back up to the desired range. (Complete information on SO2 management, including the pH/SO2 amount needed chart can be found in our Red Winemaking Manual and our White Winemaking Manual.)
SO2 Test Kits:
To test the ppm of free SO2 in your wine you will need an SO2 test kit or machine. MoreWine!'s SO2 test kit offerings range from the most basic, manual kit to a fully automated SO2 testing machine. Please take a moment to look at our SO2 testing options and feel free to contact us with any questions at 1-800-600-0033 or by e-mailing us at info@morewinemaking.com. We will be more than happy to help you choose the SO2 testing solution that best suits your individual needs.